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Looking at Language Part I: Comprehension

Exercise 1.

Harley Hudson Vice President_ of the United States

Robert A Leffingwell nominee for _Secretary of State_

Bob Munson

Senior Senator from _Michigan_ and _Majority_ Leader of the Senate

Paul Hendershot

Senior Senator from _Indiana_

Warren Strickland

Senator from _Idaho_ and Minority Leader of the Senate

Orrin Knox

Senator from _Illinois_

Seab (Seabright) Cooley

Senior Senator from _South Carolina_ and President _ pro Tempore_ of the Senate

Brigham Anderson

Senior Senator from _Utah_

Tom August

Senator from Minnesota_ and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations

John Winthrop Senator from _Massachusetts_

Stanley Danta Senator from _Connecticut_

Lafe Smith Senator from _Iowa_

Senator Welch Senator from _Washington_

the _Clerk_: person who calls the names of the Senators one by one (calling the roll) to find out who is present, and to record their votes.

the _Chair_: abbreviation for the Chairman (or Chairwoman or Chairperson); the person who conducts or runs a meeting. In the Senate, this is another name for the Vice President or, if the VP is absent, what the Senator who sits in his/her place and conducts the meeting is called.

Exercise 2.

In Favor Opposed Undecided

Bob Munson Paul Hendershot Orrin Knox

Tom August Warren Strickland Brigham Anderson

Seab Cooley

Now read the selection again, looking back at your answers to Exercise 1 and Exercise 2 to help you recognize each character’s position and opinion.

Exercise 3.

4, 2, 1, 6, 3, 5

__1. The Clerk calls the roll to find out if there is a quorum (minimum number of members required to do business) present.

__2._ Senator Munson tries to delay discussion of the nomination by asking for debate on another matter, the Federal Reserve bill.

__3.__ Senator Hendershot angrily states that the nomination is being “railroaded” (rushed through quickly to prevent careful consideration).

__4.__ Senator Strickland, the Minority Leader, asks the Senators to be courteous.

__5.__ Senator Cooley of South Carolina asks if Robert A. Leffingwell is the only man who is able to do the job of Secretary of State.

__6.__ Senator Smith replies that Mr. Leffingwell is the only man the President has appointed, so he is the only man the Senate can consider.


11, 8, 12, 10, 7, 9

__7.__ Senator Cooley roars, “Let us reject his nomination!”

__8.__ Some people in the gallery (the visitors’ seats) clap their hands at Senator Cooley’s speech. Vice President Hudson warns them to be silent.

__9.__ Senator Anderson says that, “as of now, I do not know what I shall [will] do on this nominee.”

__10._ Senator Knox gives an unexpected compliment to Vice President Hudson. Then he says that, while he has opposed Mr. Leffingwell in the past, “I will give him a fair hearing and make up my mind after the facts are in.”

__11.__Senator Cooley speaks again, saying that all the bitterness and division in the debate are caused by Mr. Leffingwell. “He is no good . . .” he says. “He will destroy our beloved America!”

__12._ Senator Munson stops the discussion of the nomination by changing the topic to discussion and voting on the Federal Reserve bill.

Looking at Language ______Part II: Vocabulary

Exercise 4:

Set #1

1. The young couple whispered their words of affection so others couldn’t hear.

a. spoke softly, using breath, not voice

2. The bus driver announced our arrival at the Chicago station.

c. gave information formally and with authority

3. “Don’t talk to me,” she snapped. “I’m angry with you.

a. spoke with anger, harshly and quickly

4. “I thought that speech would never end. He droned on forever.”

b. spoke in a dull monotone with little emotion

5. Although they were shouting, they couldn’t be heard over the sound of the hurricane.

b. speaking loudly and with force

6. “Don’t argue with him. He’s always ready with a clever retort.

c. a quick sharp reply, especially in response to an insult

Set #2

1. “I respect your opinion,” the Senator remarked.

b. said

2. The child wouldn’t divulge where he found the ten dollar bill.

c. reveal something secret or private

3. “Get out of my fields!” the farmer roared at the flock of crows.

b. spoke with maximum loudness in a full, rumbling voice

4. “Apologize to me for that insult,” the mother demanded.

c. asked for boldly and forcibly

5. “I don’t mean to imply that I think you’re a fool,” Julia said, smiling.

a. indicate without saying directly

6. “In fact,” she added, “I think you’re quite intelligent.”

a. continued to speak

Set #3

1. Silence fell; not another word was uttered.

c. spoken, or said

2. The crowd murmured uncomfortably as the debate became angry.

a. made a low, continuous sound, like a stream of water

3. “I’m sure no insult was intended,” the Senator snorted.
b. spoke while forcing breath noisily out the nose, to show contempt or humor

4. She went on with her speech, despite the angry response of the crowd.

b. continued

5. “I could demagogue,” remarked the Senator, “but I prefer to appeal to people’s reason, rather than to their passions.”

a. stir up prejudice and emotions

6. The workers protested when the company changed their pay and benefits.

c. spoke strongly against

Looking at Language Part III: Grammar

Exercise 5:

What are the letters? ______ly______

1. Adjective: ____triumphant ___

The ____triumphant____ basketball team celebrated their victory.

2. Adjective: ______slight______

I don’t think there’s a chance you’ll win the lottery. Why waste your money on

such a ______slight______possibility?

3. Adjective: ____dry____

He’s very funny, but he has such a ___dry__ sense of humor; you have to listen carefully to get his jokes.

4. Adjective: _____pleasant______

It was such a beautiful, _____pleasant_____ day we decided to go for a walk.

5. Adjective: ______nervous______

The ____ nervous_____ actor forgot all his lines in the play.

6. Adjective: ____quiet_____

The ___quiet____ children listened to their grandmother tell her story.

7. Adjective: ______fierce______

Before we could react, the ______fierce______tiger attacked.

8. Adjective: ______soft______

Her ____soft_____ voice soon lulled the baby to sleep.

9. Adjective: ______placid______

She had a ______placid______personality, never becoming angry or excited.

10. Adjective: ______crisp______

On that winter morning, the cold, _____crisp______air made us gasp for breath.


Looking at Language Part IV: Dictation

Exercise 6:

1. You can count on me, Bob. (22)

2. That is a secret the future holds. (47)

3. I’ll be talking in a minute. (29)

4. The Vice President looked really angry. (50)

5. He sat slowly down. (58)

Looking at Literature______Part V: The Writer’s Craft

Exercise 7:

a. politically powerful i. morally upright (knows the

b. manipulative (will use any method to difference between right

control or influence others) and wrong, and chooses to

c. pleasant do right)

d. intelligent j. eloquent (able to express himself

e. practical (more concerned with clearly and elegantly)

day-to-day reality than with ideas) k. courteous

f. has the respect of others l. calm and reasonable

g. doesn’t have the respect of others; is m. clever and wily (uses skill,

easily influenced by others and sometimes tricks to

h. can control his emotions and show accomplish a plan)

an emotion he doesn’t really feel n. open-minded

so his speeches and conversation o. doesn’t control his emotions;

will have the greatest effect often explodes with anger

Senator Bob Munson: a, b, c, d, e, f, h, j, k, l, m

Senator Warren Strickland: a, c, d, f, k, l

Senator Paul Hendershot: d, g, o

Senator Orrin Knox: a, c, d, f, I, j, k, n

Senator Seabright Cooley: a, b, c, d, f, h, j, k, m

Vice President Harley Hudson: c, d, g, k

Your answers may be different because this question asks for your opinions. Ask your teacher if you aren’t sure your answers are correct.


Exercise 8:

1. Who is your favorite character? Why?

There is no incorrect answer; just write what you think.

2. Who is your least favorite character? Why?

There is no incorrect answer; just write what you think.

3. Which character do you think is best for the government? Why?

There is no incorrect answer; just write what you think.

·  Your teacher will read your answers and make corrections, comments and suggestions.

·  If you need help, you can ask your teacher about this exercise before you start.

This is not a test.

This is a practice exercise to help you learn.

Exercise 9:

1. Meaning of to batten down the hatches

______to prepare for a storm or a confrontation ______

2. Meaning of the stage is set

to have everything ready for a performance or event______

3. Meaning of eddying-about

moving in a certain area, without direction or purpose

4. Meaning of to railroad

to rush through quickly so that there is no time to think or discuss

5. Meaning of at this stage of the game

at this time; at this point in an event

6. Meaning of to start (right) in on (someone)

to begin immediately; to begin complaining or arguing immediately enry He

7. Meaning of do (one’s) dirty work for (someone)

do unpleasant tasks or difficult work for someone

8. Meaning of to raise the rafters

to make so much noise or cause so much excitement it appears to lift the roof

off the building

9. Meaning of to blow up

to explode with anger

10. Meaning of to think better of (something/someone)

to reconsider and change one’s decision or opinion

Exercise 10:

1. __4__ 6. __2__

2. __7__ 7. __3__

3. __9__ 8. __5__

4. __1__ 9. __6__

5. __10 10. __8__

1. I didn’t see anyone I knew at the party; I just eddied-about eating the snacks.

2. You’ll have to tell Maggie you broke her bracelet yourself; I’m not going to do your dirty work for you.

3. When Grandma is angry, everyone knows it’s best to batten down the hatches.

4. Andre is very touchy; he’ll blow up at any little thing that bothers him.

5. There were 120 singers in the concert; they really raised the rafters with that last song.

6. I was going to have chocolate ice cream for dessert, but I need to lose weight so I thought better of it.

7. The two horses were at the starting gate and the stage was set for a magnificent race.

8. At this stage of the game, I need to be putting money away for my children’s education.

9. The mayor tried to railroad through his tax plan, but the Town Council voted it down.

10. I used all the gas in Jerry’s car. I thought he’d forgotten about it, but he started right in on me as soon as I saw him.

Looking at Civics ___ Part VI: The U. S. Senate

Exercise 11.

____2____ the Clerk

____5____ the Center Aisle

____3____ the Majority Leader

____6____ the Galleries

____1____ the Chair

____4____ the Minority Leader

Exercise 12:

The Clerk takes the roll, calling out the names of Senators, to determine if a quorum (a sufficient number of members) is present. Senators stand up and ask the presiding officer, the Vice President or the President pro Tempore, to be recognized to speak. When a Senator is recognized, he or she has the floor, and can speak as long as he or she wants to. Any other Senator who wants to speak must ask that Senator to yield, or give, the floor. It is against the rules of the Senate to insult another Senator or to be impolite even when the debate is important and passionate. Most routine business is processed, or disposed of, by unanimous consent, meaning that all who are present agree without the need for debate. Important or complicated business may be debated for hours or days, or sometimes longer, until each Senator who wishes to speak has a chance to. Such matters are usually referred to a Senate committee, where a smaller group of Senators can debate, investigate, hold hearings and come to an agreement about how a law should be written or if a nomination should be approved. The Committee then reports, or presents, its agreement to the full

Senate, which can debate more, add amendments (changes) to it, and vote.

Both the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives have the job of making laws. When an idea for a law is presented, it is called a bill. A pending bill is one that’s being debated or considered. When a bill is passed (by being voted on and approved) by either the Senate or the House, it goes to the other chamber where it is debated and voted on again. A bill passed by both the House and the Senate then goes to the President to be signed or vetoed (not approved). When the President signs a bill, it becomes a law.

Exercise 13:

Note: Answers given are correct for 2004. If you’re doing these exercises at another time, your answers may be different.

1. Who is President of the Senate? What other office does he/she hold?

Richard Cheney. Vice President of the United States
2. Who is President Pro Tempore of the Senate? Ted Stevens

3. What state does he/she represent? Alaska

4. What is his/her party? Republican

5. Who is Majority Leader of the Senate? Bill Frist

6. Who is Minority Leader? Tom Daschle

7. Which party is currently in the Majority in the Senate? Republican

8. Which Article (section) of the U.S. Constitution describes the Legislative Branch of Government? Article l.

9. What are the two parts of the Legislative Branch?

House of Representatives and Senate

10. What name appears? Richard B. Cheney

11. Who is the Majority Whip of the Senate? Mitch McConnell

12. Who is the current Chairman of this committee? Richard G. Lugar


13. Who is the other person, and what is his/her title?

Senator Joseph R. Biden, Ranking Minority Member

14. How many hearings on “Nominations” have been held since the beginning of the session (at the beginning of the year)? 10 (from Jan 20, 2004 to June 2, 2004)