Today is the third class in our current four-class set. We will begin with our editing exercise. 

Today's reading is about China's university entrance exam, Gao Kao. Our listening material is part 1 of the second 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

Keywords and phrases

• Ivory-billed woodpecker- is a bird, but in this situation, the narrator uses it as a metaphor. The ivory-billed woodpecker is a rare bird, so when we see or speak to someone that is hard to reach we can call them an ivory-billed woodpecker. 
• punctured your balloon- the more common phrases is, 'pop your balloon' or 'burst your bubble.' We use this phrase to tell people that we are sorry that gave information that ruined their experience. This is often realistic information. For example, "Do you know you have to study for eight years to become a doctor, sorry to puncture your balloon."
• sick bastard- this is a slang phrase to describe someone who has a dark and twisted personality. Similar to a psychopath. 
• his honor had been besmirched- this phrase describes someone who has lost their honor. For example, "The scandal besmirched the politician's reputation." Stain or ruin can also be used. 
• magnet program- This is a special program for honors students in a high school. 
• bookend- These are things that go on the front and back of a line. There are many types of uses, for example, "John and Patrick are the bookend children." That means one is the oldest and one is the youngest. 
• dissing her friend- a diss is to talk negatively about some, similar to an insult or spreading a rumor. 
• when the coast was clear- this is a phrase that describes a situation when no one is looking or nothing is coming. For example, "cross the street when the coast is clear." 
• tit for tat- this is a phrase we use when someone does something to us and we do something back at them. "eye for an eye" is a similar phrase. 

Listening Questions

How did Asia’s letter contradict Adnan’s alibi?

The prosecution said this was not a crime about love but rather a crime about what?

Why did Adnan ask Hye Min Lee to the prom?

What things did they share in common and why was their relationship unique?

What did Hyemin write about Adnan’s religion?