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Blue Diamond Assessment 12

Page history last edited by Bill 15 years, 9 months ago

Blue Diamond Assessment 12

 

Blue Diamond Assessment 12 requires students to:

 

  1. Identify the main idea of passages.
  2. Describe the characteristics of an item as described in a selection.
  3. Identifying the effect of an author's style on readers.
  4. Identify the meaning of a word in context.
  5. Infer best solutions for problems based on evidence gathered in a selection.
  6. Complete analogies.

 


 

 

 

Zimbabwe Opponent Seeks Refuge and Safety

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7469705.stm

 

A follow-up to the Zimbabwe election crisis.  The opponent, Tsvangirai, has sought refuge in the Dutch embassy in Zimbabwe after his party headquarters was raided by Zanu-PF forces.  He fears for his safety before Friday's election. 

 

 

Blogger Arrests hit a New High

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7456357.stm

 

An interesting bit on the fact that blogging is becoming a terrific way to speak out against injustice---but that governments are beginning to crack down on bloggers by arresting those who publish thoughts that run against the government.

 

Zimbabwe Election Complaints

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7463293.stm

 

An interesting article detailing the complaints that the MDC---a political group opposed to the current government in Zimbabwe---have with the way that this year's presidential election is being run.  In a dramatic turn of events this weekend, the MDC's candidate---who won by over 120,000 votes in the primary---pulled out of the election in an attempt to protect his people and to protest the state of the current election system. 

 

 

 

Mozambique's Better Biofuels

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/06/080619-mozambique-video-ap.html

 

An interesting National Geographic video about efforts to plant Jatropha on marginal land in Mozambique.  Jatropha is a plant that can grow in poor soils and dry climates and then be converted into biofuels.  It is seen as a crop with great potential to help the world solve its biofuel crisis because it doesn't crimp in on the farm land for food like other biofuel crops.

 

 

Turkish Child Singers go on Trial

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7462728.stm

 

Here's a fascinating free speech current event.  A group of Kurdish teenage musicians from Turkey are being put on trial for singing a song at an international music festival held in San Francisco.  The song is supposedly an anthem for the PKK, a Kurdish separatist group that has been fighting the government for years.  The kids claim that they don't even know what the words mean---but they could go to jail for five years if convicted!

 

 

Peruvian Miners Release Hostages

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7460516.stm

 

Peruvian miners have released 48 police officers that they took hostage yesterday in a protest that turned ugly.  The miners--and the 20,000 residents that joined them---are angry because Peruvian mining companies are making tons of money but are unwilling to pass the profits along to the miners.  Poverty remains rampant while the mining companies get wealthier.

 

 

 

The Plight of Child Miners in Bolivia

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7448032.stm

 

This is a pretty remarkable article describing child miners in Bolivia.  Kids as young as 10 are forced to work in mines with their parents in order to make enough money to support their families.  The mines are remarkably dangerous places and kids often come down with diseases or die of injuries.

 

 

New Strike by Argentine Farmers

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7455208.stm

 

Strikes and protests continue in Argentina as farmers rebel against increased taxes proposed by the government on agriculture.  Agriculture is one of the leading factors in the Argentine economy and farmers are generally wealthy.  The government wants to raise taxes on their products in an attempt to improve the quality of life for the poor of Argentina.  It's another example of attempts to redistribute wealth in a country.

 

 

Questions to Use:

 

What is the main idea of this current event?

 

  1. That Argentine farmers and the government disagree over the levels of taxes that are appropriate on agricultural products.
  2. That Argentine farmers and truck drivers have blockaded a road to protest a government decision.
  3. That the Argentine government is planning to build hospitals, houses and roads for the poor.
  4. That agriculture is one of Argentina's leading sources of revenue. 

 

 

Machu Picchu ruin 'found earlier'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7439397.stm

 

A map found in the Peru National Museum seems to say that Machu Picchu was found and looted by a German businessman in the 1860.  Most people had believed that the first white to see Machu Picchu was Hirum Bingham in 1911.

 

Questions:

 

Which of the following best describes Machu Picchu?

 

An Incan capital city

Peru's most popular tourist attraction

An unimportant Incan ruin

A historic place full of Incan artifacts

 

 

 

Traders' vibrant street symphony

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/7439918.stm

 

A BBC correspondant retells the story of living in Fortaleza, Brazil and the interesting street vendors you meet.

 

 

At home on Pablo Escobar's ranch

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7390584.stm

 

Pablo Escobar was one of the world's biggest drug dealers, even to the point of being labled the 7th richest man in the world at one point in the 1980s.  At the height of his power he purchased a huge ranch outside of Bogata and Medellin.  He created a strange fantasy ranch similar to Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch.  After Escobar's death the place was pillaged and it now belongs to the Colombian government.  It is currently being used as a resort.

The people living near the ranch are very poor and miss the days of Escobar, who emplyed them and payed for services the government would not.

 

Questions to use:

 

Based on the context of the following selection, On a recent sunny afternoon, Maria Claudia Gomez, a 24-year-old university student from the nearby city of Medellin, sat by one if its two pools, enjoying the sun and warm water. "This place is really nice and tranquil," she said.  What does tranquil mean?

 

  1. Ugly
  2. Trashy
  3. Scary
  4. Peaceful

 

Based on the article why do some local Colombians miss Pablo Escobar?

 

  1. They admired him for his business ability
  2. They are addicted to the drugs he smuggled
  3. They enjoyed touring his huge ranch and seeing the funny animals.
  4. They worked for Escobar on the ranch

 

What is the main idea of the selection?

 

  1. Pablo Escobar was a ruthless drug dealer who did support some poor Colombians until his death
  2. Pablo Escobar was a very successful and dangerous drug dealer
  3. Pablo Escobar enjoyed big houses and strange animals
  4. Pablo Escobar died in a gunfight in 1993

 

 

Potato pride has Chile and Peru in a stew

http://www.newsobserver.com/689/story/1092002.html

 

This article details a war of words over which SA country can claim the origins of the potato.  Both Chile and Peru claim the world's potatos are all genitically linked to their country.  Peru is truely upset about this as the potato is very respected in their nation.  Scientists do agree that the first potatos did come from Peru.

 

Questions

 

What is the main idea of the first paragraph in this selection?

 

  1. Chilean troops wrecked Peru's national library
  2. Both Chilean and Peruvians like pisco
  3. Chile and Peru has a history of arguements
  4. Chile and Peru are close to a war

 

Based on the context of this article which of the following relationships is the most similar to the following?

potato : Peru :: ______________

 

  1. Chile : potato
  2. Inca : Andes Mountains
  3. Potato : World Hunger
  4. Alan Garcia : Potato

 

Based on the context of the following selection, "Peruvian agronomists, historians and diplomats are chafing at an assertion by Marigen Hornkohl, Chile's agriculture minister, who said Monday, "Few people know that 99 percent of the world's potatoes have some type of genetic link to potatoes from Chile." Peru, where the potato is a source of national pride, could not let such a comment pass." What is the meaining of chafing?

 

  1. mad or angry
  2. happy or glad
  3. greedy or money hungry
  4. serious about

 

 

 

Bolivia grabs control of gas firm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7432280.stm

 

This article details a government take-over of a private energy company in Bolivia, where Evo Morales continues his efforts to nationalize major companies and to redistribute wealth from the rich to the poor in his country.

 

Questions to use:

 

What is the main idea of this selection?

 

  1. An American company was taken over by the Bolivian government. 
  2. Foreign companies once owned 50% of Bolivia's natural gas resources.
  3. Last month, Bolivia took over a different natural gas company.
  4. Evo Morales is nationalizing companies in an effort to redistribute wealth in his country. 

 

 

Based on this article, what likely consequences might Evo Morales' decisions have on the economy of Bolivia?

 

  1. Foreign companies may stop building factories in Bolivia.
  2. The United States may invade Bolivia.
  3. Venezuela and Bolivia may join together in partnership with one another.
  4. Evo Morales may be voted out of power. 

 

 

Bolivian Regions Back Autonomy

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7429630.stm

 

Two more resource-rich regions in Bolivia overwhelmingly supported a ballot measure this week to separate from the country in response to President Evo Morales' efforts to redistribute wealth to the poor, indigenous peoples of his country.  This article is a great tool to show kids how natural resource distribution can determine how wealthy a particular region/nation will be and to talk about the idea of socialism/communism---which Morales is pushing for.

 

Questions to use:

 

What is the main idea of the selection?

 

  1. That the wealthy regions of Bolivia are dissatisfied with the leadership of the President.
  2. That over 80% of the people in Bolivia's eastern provinces voted this weekend to separate with Bolivia.
  3. That Evo Morales is the first Bolivian president of indigenous descent.
  4. That the current government believes this weekend's vote was illegal. 

 

Which of the following relationships is most similar to the relationship below:

Indigenous : Native

 

  1. Evo Morales : Bolivia
  2. Poverty : Resources
  3. Autonomy : Freedom
  4. East : Wealthy

 

Based on the article, why are the eastern regions of Bolivia interested in autonomy?

 

  1. They are from a different cultural group than Evo Morales.
  2. They have formed alliances with their neighbor, Brazil.
  3. They are resource-rich and resistant to the idea of losing their wealth.
  4. They were attacked by the residents of the western half of Bolivia. 

 

 

 

Isolated Tribe Spotted in Brazil

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7426794.stm

 

A tribe of Indians that has never made contact with outsiders was spotted and photographed in Brazil.  The government took the pictures in order to prove that the tribe exists.  The next step is to try and protect their land from illegal loggers who are infringing on their territory. 

 

Questions to use:

 

According to this article, what is the greatest threat faced by the remote tribes of Brazil?

 

  1. Being attacked by disease.
  2. Being photographed by outsiders.
  3. Losing their homes to rival tribes.
  4. Being pushed from their land by loggers. 

 

Based on this article, why is it likely that the tribesmen pointed their bows and arrows at the picture-taking airplane?

 

  1. They had never seen a plane before and were unsure of what it was.
  2. They had been attacked by planes before and were protecting themselves.
  3. They were involved in a hunt just before the pictures were taken.
  4. They believed the plane was a spirit from the afterlife. 

 

Based on the context of this sentence, "The pictures, taken from an aeroplane, show red-painted tribe members brandishing bows and arrows." what does brandishing mean?

 

  1. A menacing or defiant wave or flourish.
  2. to conceal from sight; prevent from being seen or discovered.
  3. to coat or cover anything with paint.
  4. to hurl or project.

 

Cooper's Hill, Cheese Rolling & a very lazy preparation

http://www.bbc.co.uk/gloucestershire/content/articles/2008/05/22/prepare_to_roll_feature.shtml

 

This is the first entry (out of two) written by a college student who participated in this year's Cooper's Hill Cheese Rolling competition.  It's a very funny description of his decision to participate in this bizzare tradition. 

 

Questions to use:

 

Which of the following best describes the participants in the annual Cooper's Hill Cheese Rolling competition:

 

  1. Mean-spirited people who are out to harm others.
  2. Generous people who are willing to help others.
  3. Good-natured people who are looking to enjoy life.
  4. Greedy people who are out to make money at all costs. 

 

 

Based on the article, what is the best solution for protecting oneself during the Cheese Rolling competition?

 

  1. To not participate.
  2. To run with a large group of people.
  3. To work out at the gym.
  4. To wear protective padding. 

 

 

Amazon dilemma for Brazil's Indians

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7395781.stm

 

This article details a unique challenge faced by the Tembe Indians of the Amazon rainforest:  While they value the rainforest and don't want to see it destroyed by deforestation, they are watching as loggers are able to deforest without any punishment.  They're forced to wonder why they should continue to honor efforts to prevent deforestation if no one else is.  They also want the government to provide them with options to improve their own lives in exchange for protecting trees.

 

Questions to use:

 

Based on the context of the article, what does the word impunity mean:  It is this general impunity surrounding logging which Valdeci says prompted some indigenous people to get involved in the past, he says." 

 

  1. Exemption from punishment.
  2. With bad intentions.
  3. Of great value.
  4. Causing great harm. 

 

According to the article, what is the best solution for preventing the Tembe indians from becoming loggers?

 

  1. To employ them as guards for areas of the rainforest.
  2. To give them other options for making a living and supporting their families.
  3. To pay them money for refusing to cut down trees.
  4. To force them to leave their land and become farmers. 

 

Which of the following relationships is most similar to the relationship below:

Poverty : Deforestation

 

  1. Farming : Deforestation
  2. Logging : Economy
  3. Global Warming :  Fossil Fuels
  4. Oil : Natural Resources

 

 

Fifa suspends altitude match ban

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7422293.stm

 

FIFA, the world soccer federation has lifted it's ban on high altitude games.  This ban mainly affected countries like Bolivia and Ecuador, and those countries claimed discrimination.

 

Questions -

 

Based on the context of this sentence, "Bolivia, with the world's highest international venue, had complained it was being discriminated against," What is the meaning of venue?

 

Locale

Country

President

 

What is the main idea of this selection?

 

Bolivia has an advantage when they play at home

Countries can once again play at high altitude without any restrictions while FIFA discusses the matter further

Boliva has the highest international soccer center in the world

Evo Morales is a talented soccer player who managed to get this ban overturned

 

 

Sounds of Hope from a Paraguay Dump

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7398383.stm

 

This amazing article details the absolute poverty in Paraguay.  It talks of children and families that literally live and work in a dump, picking through trash and looking for recyclables to sell back to companies---and an effort by a symphony conductor to help lift them out of poverty through music.  Emphasize the idea that South America is a continent wracked by poverty. 

 

Questions to use:

 

Based on the article, why is music so important to the children of Cateura?

 

  1. It gives them the opportunity to get out of the rubbish dump for the day.
  2. It gives them something to enjoy in an otherwise miserable life.
  3. It gives them a way to forget about the corrupt leaders of Paraguay.
  4. It gives them a possible future away from the dump. 

 

What is the effect of beginning the selection with a comparison of the sounds of the junkyard versus the sounds of orchestra music?

 

  1. The reader is interested in the conflict between two very different sets of sounds and wants to read on.
  2. The reader recognizes that Paraguay is a country that values music.
  3. The reader is immediately entertained by the creative use of language.
  4. The reader is able to make a connection between their own lives and the lives of children in Paraguay. 

 

What is the main idea of the selection?

 

  1. That people live and work in rubbish dumps in Paraguay.
  2. That Paraguay is one of the poorest nations in the world.
  3. That creative efforts by people who care can help to lift others out of poverty.
  4. That 8,000 people have learned to play music through "Sounds of the Land."

 

Based on the context of this sentence, "On the other side of the classroom door, their parents busily sort out recyclable materials from rubbish which they later sell back to industries for a meagre profit," what is the meaning of meagre?

 

  1. huge
  2. tiny
  3. recylable
  4. unhealthy

 

 

Amazon Indians Attack Official Over Dam Project 

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/05/080521-AP-indians-dam.html

 

A group of decorated and armed natives have attacked a dam offical after he gave a speech about the impact of a dam project slated for the Xingu River in Brazil.

 

Questions:

 

Based on the context of the following sentence, "It was not immediately clear whether Rezende was intentionally slashed or received the cut inadvertently when he was surrounded and pushed to the floor," what is the meaing of inadvertently?

 

  1. On purpose
  2. On accident
  3. From a machete
  4. From the push to the floor

 

Based on the article, why should dam officials think carefully about their upcoming dam project and how they affect the local tribes?

 

  1. Amazon Indians have been willing to use violence against dam workers for many years.
  2. The Amazon Indians don't need any electricity
  3. Hydroelectric dams are really expensive
  4. The dams could kill many Amazon Indian people

 

In pictures: Indians' changing customs

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/7396495.stm

 

This picture gallery discribes the lives of the Xavante people in Brazil.  In the 1960s they were forced off their land and now that then have been invited back the forest life they knew is gone.  They are having to adapt to a completely new way of life.

 

Questions:

Based on the context of the following sentence, "The Xavante Indians used to have a reputation as fearless warriors, now they are adapting to a life based on subsistence agriculture." what is the meaning of subsistence?

 

  1. of ample or considerable amount, quantity, size, etc.
  2. means of supporting life; a living or livelihood.
  3. below standard or less than adequate.
  4. something situated or living under the surface of the sea.

 

What is the best solution to the Xavante people not being able to hunt and fish on their traditional land anymore?

 

  1. Live of government help
  2. find a place they can hunt and fish
  3. protest at the capital city
  4. learn to survive in new and different ways

 

 

 

Quick Guide to the Colombian Conflict

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/5237844.stm

 

A civil war has been raging in Colombia since the early 1960s.  Originally, the forces fighting against the government were committed to helping the poor of Colombia.  Over time, however, they got wrapped up in Colombia's drug trade.  Now, thousands of innocent civilians are killed each year when they are caught in the middle of the fighting between rebels and the government forces. 

 

Questions to use:

 

What is the main idea of this selection?

 

  1. Rebel groups have been fighting the government since 1964.
  2. Fighting in Colombia has ruined the lives of millions of Colombians.
  3. People don't believe the government of Colombia is doing enough to end fighting in their country.
  4. FARC and AUC are two of the primary rebel groups fighting in Colombia.

 

 

Based on the In Pictures selection related to the Colombian conflict, why should Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela work to end their disagreements with one another?

 

  1. Because they are facing invasion by the United States and need to support one another.
  2. Because FARC rebels are threatening the governments of all three countries.
  3. Because the United States believes it's time for South American nations to partner with one another.
  4. Because the three countries rely on one another for trade that supports their economies. 

 

 

 

Charles urges forest logging halt

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7400911.stm

 

England's Prince Charles is throwing his weight into the fight against logging and deforestation in the Amazon.  He wants to countries of the Amazon to relalize that the trees are worth morth alive than dead.  He would like to devise some sort of mechanism that would pay poorer countries to not fell trees.

 

Questions:

 

According to the article, what is the best solution for solving the problem of poor Amazon countries felling huge numbers of trees?

 

  1. Send in scientist that can lecture them on climate change
  2. Make them stop with miltary force
  3. Devise a plan to pay poor countries to not cut down trees
  4. Protest in capital cities of Amazon nations

 

Which of the following best describes Prince Charles' description of the Amazon Rainforest?

 

  1. "The world's playground"
  2. "A crazy big forest"
  3. the earth's "air conditioning system"
  4. A rotten shame that I have to worry about this South American problem

 

Based on the context of the following sentences, "The world's forests store carbon in their wood and in their soils.  But they are being felled for timber products, food and now bio fuels." what does felled mean?

 

  1. planted
  2. cut down
  3. protected
  4. used

 

 

Brazil's Amazon minister resigns

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7399715.stm

 

The woman specifically in charge of protecting Brazil's Amazon Rainforest has resigned her position because of the immense pressure that she has been facing from businesses and industry leaders who are resisting every decision that she makes.  This is an interesting article for showing the disconnect between protecting the environment and protecting the economy---a common problem here in the United States as well.

 

Questions to use:

 

Based on the context of the following sentence, "Brazil's Environment Minister, Marina Silva, a staunch defender of the Amazon rainforest, has resigned from her post." what does staunch mean?

 

firm or loyal

a fowl quality or smell

weak and disloyal

greedy or money loving

 

 

Based on this selection, why are businesses so opposed to the actions of Brazil's Amazon minister?

 

  1. Because they believe that the animals in the rainforest are becoming overpopulated.
  2. Because they doubt that global warming exists.
  3. Because they are worried that efforts to save the rainforest will interfere with their desire to make money.
  4. Because they are opposed to the current government of Brazil.

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