Today is the third class in our current four-class set. Today's reading is about China's university entrance exam, Gao Kao. Our listening material is part 5 of the first episode of Serial. Everyone is doing a great job with the listening material, but always let me know if you have any questions. The vocabulary words will come from our reading. I will explain the words in class and you have to guess which word I am referencing. 

Vocabulary

• leniency- (noun) the fact or quality of being more merciful or tolerant than expected; clemency.
• laborious - (adj) (especially of a task, process, or journey) requiring considerable effort and time. ALSO (especially of speech or writing style) showing obvious signs of effort and lacking in fluency.
• dismal - (adj) depressing; dreary. ALSO (of a person or a mood) gloomy. ALSO pitifully or disgracefully bad.
• retort- (verb) say something in answer to a remark or accusation, typically in a sharp, angry, or wittily incisive manner. AND turn (an insult or accusation) back on the person who has issued it. AND a sharp, angry, or wittily incisive reply to a remark.

Click HERE for the reading

Key Phrases

• On the stand- giving testimony in court. 
• First-degree murder- the killing of another human being under conditions specifically covered in law. In the U.S., special statutory definitions include murder committed with malice aforethought, characterized by deliberation or premeditation or occurring during the commission of another serious crime, as robbery or arson (first-degree murder), and murder by intent but without deliberation or premeditation (second-degree murder).
• Dummy’s head- this is a plastic head or a doll's head. A life-size doll is called a dummy. 
• It didn’t really check out- this means it wasn't validated. Or the facts don't make sense. 
• Hitting on you- when a person is attracted to another person and tries to talk with them. 
• Snowed in- There is so much snow that you can't leave the house
• The kicker- an unexpected or surprising remark, revelation, or set of circumstances
• Cross-examination- Cross-Examination. When the lawyer for the plaintiff or the government has finished questioning a witness, the lawyer for the defendant may then cross-examine the witness. Cross-examination is generally limited to questioning only on matters that were raised during direct examination.
• Affidavit- a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation, for use as evidence in court.
• Vouch for her story- confirming or supporting somebody's claim. 

Listening Questions

• Who is Asia Mclain? 
• What was the kicker?
• What was inconceivable?