Learn vocabulary through movies
Freedom Writers
Freedom Writers (ANSWERS)
Note: Definitions for the italic words/phrases are provided in the Glossary (p.3).
Task 1: Synopsis
Fill in the blanks with the words from the box.
come to terms with1
devoted2
idealistic
integration
hotbed3
slurs4
Based on actual diary accounts of several teenagers following the L.A. riots, “Freedom Writers” is the
story of an 1. idealistic teacher’s attempts to make a difference in the lives of her at-risk students.
Located in gang-ravaged5 Long Beach, California, Woodrow Wilson High is a 2. hotbed of violence due to
a voluntary 3. integration programme which brings Black, Latino, Asian, and White students together.
Rather than having the desired effect of creating healthy diversity, this program breeds6 constant war
between all parties involved, the result being daily gun shots, constant racial 4. slurs, and gang violence.
Despite being up against unthinkable violence, 5. devoted first-time teacher Erin Gruwell never gives up
and slowly bonds with her class of at-first unreachable pupils. In addition, she breaks down their tough
exteriors and searches for the real people beneath by requiring the students keep daily journals. After
sharing their stories with one another, the students are able to channel their emotions by seeing their
common experiences. They 6. come to terms with their past, open up about their struggles and move
forward in their life, setting out on a life-changing, eye-opening, spirit-raising odyssey7 against ignorance,
misunderstanding, and the negative forces in their own lives.
Task 2: Listening
Watch the below clip from Freedom Writers.
- Freedom Writers DVD at Language Learning Oasis (OEM707): 1°12’30” – 1°14’37”
or
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9f8liieRepk 0’19” – 2’30”
Fill in the blanks as you listen to the clip.
Student: This summer was the worst summer in my short 14 years of life. It all started with a phone call.
My mother was crying and 1. begging, asking for more time as if she were gasping for8 her last breath of
air. She held me as tight as she could and cried. Her tears hit my shirt like 2. bullets and told me we were
being evicted 9 . She kept 3. apologizing to me. I thought, I have no home. I should have asked for
something less expensive at Christmas. On the morning of the 4. eviction, a hard knock on the door woke
me up. The sheriff10 was there to do his job. I looked up at the sky, waiting for something to happen.
My mother has no family to 5. lean on, no money coming in. Why bother coming to school or getting
good grades if I'm 6. homeless? The bus stops in front of the school. I feel like 7. throwing up. I'm
wearing clothes from last year, some old shoes and no new haircut. I kept thinking I'd get laughed at.
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Learn vocabulary through movies
Freedom Writers
Instead, I'm 8. greeted by a couple of friends who were in my English class last year. And it hits me, Mrs.
Gruwell, my crazy English teacher from last year, is the only person that made me think of hope. Talking
with friends about last year's English and our trips, I began to feel better. I receive my 9. schedule and
the first teacher is Mrs. Gruwell in Room 203. I walk into the room and feel as though all the problems in
life are not so important anymore. I am home.
Task 3: Vocabulary In Use
Learn at least 5 words/phrases from the Glossary.
Go to online dictionaries (e.g. http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/; http://dictionary.cambridge.org/;
http://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary) to see example sentences. Then, write your own sentences below.
You can make an appointment with our Teaching Assistant at the Language Learning Oasis (OEM707) to
check your work.
1.____________________________________________________________________________________
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2.____________________________________________________________________________________
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3.____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
4.____________________________________________________________________________________
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5.____________________________________________________________________________________
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Now, go to Language Learning Oasis at OEM 707 to watch the whole film.
Enjoy!
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Learn vocabulary through movies
Freedom Writers
Glossary:
1
come to terms with: (idiom) to gradually accept a sad situation, often the death of someone you love
2
devoted: (adj) extremely loving and loyal
3
hotbed: (n) an environment promoting the growth of something, especially something unwelcome
4
slur: (n) a remark that criticizes someone which is likely to have a harmful effect on their reputation
5
gang-ravaged: (adj) gang means an organized group of criminals; ravaged means severely damaged
or devastated
6
breed: (n) to produce or lead to (something) over a period of time
7
odyssey: (n) a long and eventful or adventurous journey or experience
8
gasp for: (phrasal verb) to strain to obtain (air) by gasping
9
evict: (v) to expel (someone) from a property, especially with the support of the law
10
sheriff: (n) in the US, an official whose job is to be in charge of performing the orders of the law
courts and making certain that the laws are obeyed within a particular country
Sources:
- http://dictionary.cambridge.org/
- http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/
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Learn vocabulary through movies
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Freedom Writers
http://www.script-o-rama.com/movie_scripts/f/freedom-writers-script-transcript.html
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0463998/plotsummary
http://www.studymode.com/essays/Freedom-Writers-Summary-863320.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_Writers
http://www.filmjabber.com/movie-synopsis/freedom-writers.html
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