I love words. Reading, speaking or listening to words is a moving, thoughtful and engaging experience. Most recently, listening to Obama’s inaugural speech elicited these feelings for me. For others it may be reading to their child at bedtime, the last conversation with a loved one, or hearing words of encouragement after a bad day. Words have meaning that can draw out various emotions from us. My voracious appetite for words led me to a site that tests one’s knowledge of them. Some are easy, others I use my understanding of prefixes and suffixes to ascertain the meaning (an old trick from my SAT days), and the rest, well let’s just say, leave me stumped. In any case, the site is great for writers (or anybody for that matter) to use for two reasons.
One – You’re learning.
Two – You’re helping out a great cause at the same time.
The website is called FreeRice.com, the sister site of Poverty.com.
Through partnerships with the Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University and the United Nations World Food Program, FreeRice is able to make donations of rice to feed over two million people since the program started in 2007. If you’re looking to improve your vocabulary and love to help a good cause swing by the website. It’s fun, free, easy and another way to make a difference in somebody’s life — just by clicking away.
And you don’t have to spend a lot of time playing the vocabulary game to make an impact. For every correct answer FreeRice donates 10 grains of rice through the United Nations World Food Program. Now that may not seem like a lot. But, when you consider that the organization has helped to feed so many people already that’s when you realize just how many people are playing.
If vocabulary isn’t your thing, don’t worry. The site offers other subjects that you can test yourself in such as geography, math, art and science. Better yet, schools will be back in session this week and if your child has been struggling with his multiplication tables — FreeRice offers test questions in that area. You’ll spend quality time with your child as you test his knowledge and help him improve his comprehension. Or maybe you’re prepping for the GRE, LSAT or some other standardized exam, the vocabulary questions can be of use to you as well. FreeRice provides its users with a chance to learn and make a difference at the same time.
So, what are you waiting for? Spread the word around and watch how learning can help change the world. Now that’s food for thought!
Four Reasons To Read Article Comments February 4, 2009
Tags: article, blog, comment section, comments
After I’ve read an article or blog post, I like to comment by thanking the author for a helpful piece, sharing my thoughts, or asking questions. At times, what I’ve said has been found useful by other readers who also drop a line - which is great. But the process I realize has been two-fold — a give and take situation — because I’ve also learned a few things by reading comments after a post. The dialogue after an article is just as important to me as the piece itself. Mainly because the author is writing from his (or her) perspective. When readers chime in they may unload information that is diverse, helpful and new to both the author and other readers.
Now, I’m not promoting reading all comments; especially if there are many posted. In that case, read the first few and then quickly scan the rest looking for links or a few words in CAPS that may catch your eye.
When it comes to reading the comment section here are my payoffs:
Do you skip the comment section or do you scope it out in hopes of finding something new? Think about that hidden pearl of wisdom. It may just be tucked away between comments 8 and 10.