In the News
Reading and Writing:
High Intermediate
Andrew K. English and Laura Monahon English
Unit 1: Untruth and Consequences
"Warrant issued for paparazzi" (Dec. 18, 2005), by the Associated Press, published in the Indianapolis (IN) Star. A paparazzi is of stricking a 5-year-old child with his camera while trying to take pictures of the actress Reese Witherspoon and her children at an amusement park.
"Harry Potter and the Reporters under Fire?" (Nov. 8, 2005), by Ged Howard of GreatReporter.com. A look at fictional journalists, and how honest they have ben, through the years.
"Forfeiting privacy, one post at a time" (Nov. 8, 2005), by Melody Joy Kramer of The Daily Pennsylvania (university of Pennsylvania). The writer worries about how much information we are putting online wituhout thinking of possible future repercussions.
Unit 2: Dreams Never Die
"Icy Efficiency" (Feb. 15, 2006), by Bob Hohler of the Boston Globe. A profile of Brian Hughes, a hockey player who was born with just one arm.
"College athlete reaches new heights as volunteer teacher" (Dec. 4, 2005), by Nina Terol for ABS-CBN Interactive (The Philippines). The story of a college athlete from humble beginnings who now volunteers to teach impoverished high-school students.
Unit 3: Dying for Their Beliefs
"Mind-Body connection" (Feb. 15, 2006), by Marjorie Wertz of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Guided imagery is a visualization technique — a "focused daydream," some practitioners say — that helps patients focus on positive images to heal their bodies.
"Help from Above" (Dec. 6, 2005), by Alison Buckholtz of the Washington Post. The number of counselors who integrate a faith-based world view with academic training and licensure is increasing. Pastoral counseling is often the choice of high-profile figures who find themselves in trouble.
Unit 4: When Disaster Strikes
"Climate Talks: 2005 Weather Disasters Most Costly Ever" (Dec. 7, 2005), from the Environment News Service. The largest financial losses ever due to weather-related natural diasters occurred in 2005, according to United Nations report. People across the globe are becomng more vulnerable to weather-related natural disasters.
"Disaster Could Have Been Far Worse, Says Sociologist Who Thinks New Orleans 'Lucked Out'" (Sept. 19, 2005), by Jennifer Howard of The Chronicle of Higher Education. The devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina came as a shock but it wasn't a surprise, at least not to Lee Clarke, an associate professor of sociology at Rutgers University at New Brunswick. In an interview, he explains why he thinks the city "lucked out" this time around. And he argues that instead of weighing the probabilities — playing the odds — policy makers need to take a hard look at worst-case possibilities.
Unit 5: 21st-Century Living
"Review: 'Ecocities: Building Cities in Balance with Nature'" (Dec. 14, 2005), by Ryan McGreal of Raise the Hammer. A review of Richard Register's book, whose thesis is that cities must learn to sustain themselves without stripping their own capital or that of their surroundings.
"Urban planning class evaluates challenges to city's development" (Nov. 25, 2005), by Andy Hogue of the Gainesville (TX) Daily Register. Faculty from the University of Texas at Arlington have formed a class for city leaders and interested members of the public, to evaluate challenges toward the development of Gainesville.
Unit 6: Give and Learn
"Officials hope younger people fill volunteer gap" (Feb. 9, 2006), by Robyn Russo of the Petaluma (CA) Beaver County Times & Allegheny Times (PA). New national surveys and research have shown people in their teens and early 20s are showing more interest than ever in volunteer work, leaving volunteer organizers hoping this youngest generation will step up and fill the service gap.
"Giving Back" (Dec. 21, 2005), by Dane Golden of the Petaluma (CA) Argus-Courier. Many Petaluma companies go out of their way to help community nonprofits and other organizations through financial contributions and volunteerism, demonstrating a clear spirit of philanthropy.
Unit 7: Homing in on Education
"Advantages, drawbacks of home-schooling assessed" (Dec. 15, 2005), by Andrea Kelly of the Arizona Daily Star (Tucson). The reporter asked a group of students if they thought home-schooled students have the same, fewer or more educational opportunities as those who attend school with others?
"Virtual instruction, real learning" (Dec. 12, 2005), by Debby Abe of the News Tribune (Tacoma, WA). A look at online instruction offered by public schools, allowing students to go to school full-time at home.
Unit 8: Eat to Live or Live to Eat?
"Savor & celebrate" (Feb. 8, 2006), by Brenda Moore of the Monterey (CA) Herald. A look at the Slow Food Monterey Bay Group, one of several Slow Food groups recently formed in California.
"Family Meals Are Hip Again" (Nov. 21, 2005), by Jean Bergantini Grillo of Broadcasting & Cable. Television programs like Nick at Nite and TV Land are trying to make the family sit-down dinner a regular event in U.S. homes, not just something that happens at the holidays.
"Slow Down and Smell the Garlic" (Aug. 5, 2005), by Francis X. Rocca of The Chronicle of Higher Education. The University of Gastronomic Sciences, in Pollenzo, Italy, is the most ambitious project to date of the Slow Food movement. The goal of the five-year program is to turn out graduates who will practice and promote Slow Food's values, either by producing food products themselves, helping to organize those who do, or educating the wider world through journalism and public relations.
Unit 9: The Grass Is Always Greener
"Telenovela, American-Style" (Dec. 27, 2005), by Chris Vaughn of the Christian Science Monitor, published in Alternet. "Nuestro Barrio," America's first locally produced telenovela, or Latin American soap opera, is poised to offer much more than love affairs and plot twists. As the new show debuts across the South in late January, viewers will also see a short sermon on what equity means, how to open a checking account, and the ins-and-outs of American law.
"Missouri store satisfies tastes from all over globe" (Dec. 19, 2005), by Megan Means, published in the Kansas City\ (MO) Star. A story about World Harvest International and Gourmet Foods, which includes gourmet products plus ingredients such as rice, grains, noodles, olives, coffee and tea for affordable international home cooking. It carries spices suited to a variety of cuisines, including Middle Eastern, African, Asian and Indian and Mexican. The owner says he expected to rely heavily on immigrants for business, but the number of American regulars came as a pleasant surprise.
"Paraplegic aids Somali refugees" (Dec. 3, 2005), by Chris Vaughn of the Star-Telegram (Dallas-Fort Worth, TX). Minister Hamilton, a 59-year-old paraplegic, has sparked a grassroots effort to bring beds, pots and pans, chairs and winter coats to the 150 Somali Bantu who have migrated to Webber Garden, an apartment complex in Fort Worth.
Unit 10: Take It or Leave It
"The face of homes to come" (Dec. 30, 2005), by Debra D. Bass of the St. Louis (MO) Post-Dispatch. A look at recent and upcoming technological innovations for the home.
"Technology works its way into more of your home" (Dec. 19, 2005), by John Agsalud of the Honolulu (HI) Star-Bulletin. A short review of new technology for home entertainment and security.
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