Question: What could a poem writer and a movie director share? More than you think! Langston Hughes began writing poems in high school and soon became one of America's greatest writers. Most of his writing is about his experiences as an African American. He wrote poems about people who worked hard through life but still found things to be happy about. He wrote plays and books about justice for all people, and he wrote kids' books, too. The Sweet and Sour Animal Book is a book of his animal poems. Pictures and photos were used in the book. "Hold fast to dreams" is a line in a famous Hughes poem. That's exactly what he did throughout his life. When Steven Spielberg was in middle school, he wanted to make a film. He had an idea for a movie, but no money. He started a tree-planting business and made his film with the money he earned. Spielberg never stopped making films, even after many film schools refused him. Today he is one of the most popular and important filmmakers in the world. His movies are about people who are adventurous , brave, kind. His characters often fight for what is good. Some of his films are about his Jewish background, such as Schindler's List. Spielberg once said, "I don't dream that much at night because I dream for a living." In different ways, both Hughes and Spielberg have encouraged people of all ages to reach for their dreams. 1. What is the writers name?
2. What were most his writings about?
3. Did he write about justice?
4. For whom?
5. Who else did he write books for?
6. What was a famous line mentioned in his children's book?
7. What book was this line from?
8. Who wanted to make a film while in middle school?
9. Why couldn't he make one?
10. How did he earn money?
11. Did he stop making films?
12. Where is he now considered most popular?
13. What is his background?
14. Were his movies about this backgroud? Provide a numbered list of answers.
****
A numbered of answers: 1. Langston Hughes
2. his experiences
3. Yes
4. all people
5. kids
6. Hold fast to dreams
7. its a line in a famous Hughes poem
8. Steven Spielberg
9. no money
10. He started a tree-planting business
11. No
12. the world.
13. he has a Jewish background
14. Schindler's List

Question: "Your first home," Laurence Yep wrote in his book, The Lost Garden, "will always be the one that you remember best. I have been away from it for over twenty years, but I still go back in my dreams." For Yep, whose father came from China, home was an apartment and the family grocery store in a neighborhood of San Francisco. It was there that he learned about patience, hard work, and getting along with neighbors.

Mr. Brown, Laurence Yep's high school English teacher, often set high goals for his students. He was the first person to encourage Yep to write. The experience of that class changed the direction of Yep's life. At the age of 18 Yep published his first short story, a sci-fi fantasy. He has since written many books and many kinds of books. He has retold Chinese folk stories and written for the theater. In nearly all these varied works, Yep, who is married to the children's book author Joanne Ryder, has returned to questions he has been asking himself since childhood: What does it mean to be Chinese and American? Can one who belongs to two cultures ever feel at home anywhere?

When asked, "How has being of a Chinese by origin been important to you?" Laurence Yep replied, "As a child I wanted to be as American as possible. Then, in my early twenties, I became very interested in my Chinese roots. For years after that, I thought that my function as a Chinese American writer was to act as a bridge between two cultures. Now, though, I am not so sure that it is possible to join them together. Compared with Asian culture, American culture pays more attention to individuals and competition. The two cultures pull in opposite directions. So I see myself now as someone who will always be on the border between two cultures. That works to my benefit as a writer because not quite fitting in helps me be a better observer." 1. Where did Yep grow up?
2. Where did his father come from?
3. What book title is Yep discussing his home?
4. Who was his high school teacher?
5. Did he influence Yep?
6. What did he influence Yep to do?
7. When did Yep publish his first story?
8. Did his wife write also?
9. What is his wife's name?
10. What does she write about?
11. Did Mr. Brown have high goals for is students?
12. What does Yep compare American culture to?
13. Are they similar according to Yep?
14. Did Yep live in an apartment or house as a child?
15. What did he learn in san francisco as a child?
16. What does Yep see himself as now?
17. When did Yep become interested in his chinese roots?
18. Did Yep want to be more American when he was a child?
19. Does he feel the same way now?
20. Does he feel it is possible to join American and chinese culture? Provide a numbered list of answers.
****
A numbered of answers: 1. San Francisco
2. China
3. The Lost Garden
4. Mr. Brown
5. Yes
6. to write
7. age 18
8. Yes
9. Joanne Ryder,
10. children's books
11. Yes
12. Asian culture
13. No
14. an apartment
15. patience, hard work, and getting along with neighbors.
16. on the border between two cultures
17. early twenties,
18. Yes
19. No
20. No

Question: The tooth fairy's trash became another man's treasure Saturday when a discolored molar that once belonged to John Lennon was put up for auction.

The winning bid came in at 19,500 pounds (U.S. $31,200), according to auction results posted online.

Michael Zuk, a Canadian dentist, is claiming responsibility for the winning bid. Omega Auction House, which sold the tooth, did not immediately respond to requests for comment Saturday.

Lennon gave the tooth to Dorothy "Dot" Jarlett when she worked as his housekeeper at his Kenwood home in Weybridge, Surrey, according to her son, Barry. Jarlett, who was employed between 1964 and 1968, developed a warm relationship with Lennon, her son said.

"She was very close with John, and one day whilst chatting in the kitchen, John gave my mother the tooth (he had been to the dentist to have it removed that day) and suggested giving it to my sister as a souvenir, as she was a huge Beatles fan," he said. "It has been in the family ever since."

With the exception of the past two years, the tooth has been in Canada for 40 years after Dot Jarlett's daughter married a Canadian.

Barry Jarlett, who said his mother is now 90 years old, said it was the right time to pass it on rather than to risk the tooth getting lost.

Karen Fairweather, the owner of Omega Auction House, told CNN last month that the tooth is too fragile for DNA testing but she has no doubt about its authenticity. 1. What was for sale?
2. How much was it sold for?
3. Who got it?
4. What years did the maid work for him?
5. How old is she?
6. Why give it away now?
7. Where was it the last 4 decades?
8. Whose mouth did it come from?
9. Who did he give it to?
10. Why?
11. Can they check if it is real? Provide a numbered list of answers.
****
A numbered of answers:
1. a discolored molar that once belonged to John Lennon
2. 19,500 pounds (U.S. $31,200)
3. Michael Zuk
4. between 1964 and 1968
5. 90 years old
6. tooth getting lost possiblity
7. Canada
8. John
9. Dorothy "Dot"
10. Dot's daughter
11. no