Supreme Court Nomination

A Newsletter for Newcomers to the United States Supreme Court Nomination Just when I thought US politics couldn t get any stranger, one of the nine US Supreme Court justices (Justice Antonin Scalia) died suddenly. President Obama has nominated Judge Merrick Garland but Republican Senate leaders have announced they will not participate in appointing a replacement until after the November election. Here is what you need to know to understand this story. The US Supreme Court is the highest court in the nation. It consists of nine Justices (judges), each appointed to the court for life (that is, they can keep the job for the rest of their lives as long as they engage in good behavior ). This rule is meant to protect the Justices from political influence. Some Justices choose to retire, but many die while still on the Court, as did Justice Scalia. trying to understand his/her philosophy of law. These interviews are often shown on TV. The Judiciary Committee can then make a recommendation to the full Senate either for rejection or for approval, or it can forward the nomination to the whole Senate without any recommendation. The Senate holds its own set of hearings, and then votes. The Senate must approve the nominee by a simple majority (one more than 50%). On average, historically, the whole process takes about two and a half months. In history, about 19% of the nominees for Supreme Court Justice have been rejected, withdrawn or not voted on. The most recent judge to be rejected was Judge Robert Bork, nominated by Republican President Ronald Reagan, in 1987, when Democrats held a majority in the Senate. April 2016 Inside This Issue Supreme Court Nomination 1 Supreme Court Demographics 2 Passover 3 Birthday Biography: Ralph Wiley 3 Phishing and Tax Scams 4 Paying US Taxes 4 Vocabulary for Today s Politics :( 4 Parent-Teacher Conferences 5 Tips for Hiring Someone to Prepare your Tax Return 5 Rules of Baseball 6 Margarine or Butter? 6 Delegates and Other Higher Math 7 That Crazy English: Baseball Idioms 8 Compliments of Distribution restricted per terms of educational site license. Article II of the Constitution says that the President shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Supreme Court justices. Ordinarily, the process is this: The President nominates someone (usually, but not necessarily, a judge from a lower court) and then the Senate Judiciary Committee reviews the credentials of the nominee. They interview the nominee and read papers he/she has written, This current nomination is politically extremely important, some say even more important than the presidential election because Justices tend to serve on the Court for so many years. The Court s job is to ensure that all federal, state and local laws comply with the principles in the US Constitution. I will write more in upcoming months about the kinds of decisions the Court decides. For now, you just need to know that until Justice Scalia died, the Court was often continued on page 2 1

Supreme Court Demographics s Justice Antonin Scalia had been the longest-serving Justice, appointed in 1986 by President Reagan. Now, the longest-serving Justice is Anthony Kennedy, appointed in 1988. The newest Justices were appointed by President Obama: Sonia Sotomayor (2009) and Elena Kagan (2010). s The oldest Justice is Ruth Ginsburg, age 83. The youngest is Elena Kagan, 55. s There are currently 3 female Justices. The first woman (Sandra Day O Connor, now retired) was appointed in 1981. s There is one African-American Justice (Clarence Thomas) and one Latina (Justice Sotomayor). The first non-caucasian Justice (Thurgood Marshall) was appointed in 1967. Although historically, the great majority of Justices have been Protestant, today there are five Roman Catholic and three Jewish Justices. s Four of the current Justices were appointed by a Republican president, and four by a Democrat. s No Justice has been openly gay. s The current Senate Judiciary Committee has 11 Republicans and 9 Democrats. The current Senate has 54 Republicans, 44 Democrats and 2 Independents who usually vote with the Democrats. continued from page 1 SUPREME COURT NOMINATION very evenly balanced between liberal and conservative points of view. Justice Scalia generally held uite conservative views, so the prospect of a nomination from a more liberal President is upsetting to the Republicans. Judge Garland, the new nominee, is described by most observers as a moderate. The Senate Republican leaders have announced that they do not think a new Supreme Court Justice should be nominated in an election year, but rather should leave the nomination decision to whoever is elected in November. They have said they will not meet with any nominee or hold any hearings. They point to similar discussions in other election years, with Democrats making the same argument when roles were reversed. The chart at the top of this page shows the outcome of all Supreme Court vacancies that occurred in presidential election years since 1900. In two other cases, a Justice was not successfully nominated in an election year, but the vacancy was filled in other ways: In 1956, the President made a recess appointment in October to fill a vacancy; that Justice was officially confirmed in 1957. In the fall of 1968, the President nominated a Justice to fill a vacancy that he hoped would appear when he promoted an Associate Justice to Chief Justice. That promotion was not approved, so there was no vacancy. Date of President s Senate # days to nomination Party Control confirmation 1912 March R R 5 1916 January D D 124 1916 July D D 10 1932 February R R 9 1940 January D D 12 1987 November R D 63 2 In short, there has never been a vacancy on the Court held open until the election was over. Note: This poll was taken before President Obama nominated Judge Garland.

Passover Passover is one of the most important Jewish holidays in the year. At Passover, Jews remember the story of their exodus from (going out of) slavery in Egypt 3000 years ago: The Israelites were slaves in Egypt when God ordered Moses to lead them to freedom. God sent a series of plagues to the land frogs, disease, locusts, and more. Each time, God stopped the plague when the Pharaoh (king, pronounced FAY-roh ) promised to let the Israelites go free. But each time a plague ended, the Pharaoh broke his promise. Finally, Moses announced that the next plague would be the killing of all first-born children in Egypt. He told the Israelites to put some blood of a lamb on the door posts of their homes. This would be the signal to God to pass over their house and not kill their first-born children. This time, the Pharaoh finally told the Israelites to go free. The people traveled toward the Red Sea. When they got there, the Pharaoh s army (sent by the Pharaoh who had, again, changed his mind about freeing them) was close behind. The water parted so that the Israelites could cross through to safety. It closed again when Pharaoh s army was crossing, drowning them all. For several thousand years, the story of Passover has been told in this spring season. It is a story of the re-birth of life and of a people who find new political freedom and unity. At Passover, many Jews remember people of all religions around the world who still do not live in freedom. Passover lasts seven or eight days (depending on the type of Jewish group). Throughout Passover, Jews eat no food that has leavening (like yeast) in it. They may go to religious services on the first evening of Passover, then return home for a seder. A seder is a dinner, and an important, ceremonial part of observing Passover. It is not simply a family holiday meal. A seder includes many special symbolic foods (see below). The youngest person at the table asks a series of four uestions about the meaning of Passover. The Passover story is told, along with prayers and songs of praise to God. Passover begins on the 14th day of the month of Nisan in the Jewish calendar. This year it starts on April 23 (but note that in the Jewish calendar, days start at sunset on the previous day, so observation of Passover will begin at sunset on April 22). If you are not Jewish, you will not be expected to do any thing special during the Passover week. If you live in a town with many Jewish families, public schools may be closed for the first day or two of Passover. But most businesses and government agencies are not closed. For the first one or two days of Passover, many Jews, even those who are not very religious, will follow tradition. They may not be at work or school. In some Jewish families, inviting non-jews to a seder is part of the tradition of telling the Passover story to those who do not know it. Go, if invited. The Symbolic Foods of Passover This food: Matzah (unleavened bread) Lamb bone and egg Mild bitter greens (parsley or lettuce) dipped in saltwater Bitter herbs (like horseradish) Charoset (nuts, fruit and wine) symbolizes: The Israelites uick departure, leaving no time for bread to rise Festival sacrifice The Israelites tears, the sea and springtime The bitterness of slavery Brick/mortar used by slaves Birthday Biography: Ralph Wiley Ralph Wiley invented something you may use every day - plastic wrap (also called cling film or Saran wrap, after its first brand name). Wiley worked for Dow Chemical as a lab technician, washing dishes. One day, in a lab that was focused on making a dry cleaning product, he found he could not wash polyvinylidene chloride (PVdC) off his glass beakers,. He had the idea that this might be a useful property of the chemical. At first, Dow developed it as a green spray to protect fighter airplanes from salty air near the sea. Later, it was used to protect the seats in cars. And in World War II, the chemical was used to make an inner sole for soldiers boots; it allowed dry outside air into the boot and helped prevent blisters. In 1943, with his boss John Reilly, Ralph Wiley figured out how to reformulate the chemicals into a thin film which was a barrier to moisture, oxygen, flavors and smells. They named the product after Reilly s wife (Sarah) and daughter (Ann) - Saran. The product cellophane already existed - it, too, was a clear plastic film, but it did not cling tightly and did not protect food well. It was used mainly for packing non-food items. Today, Saran is made of polyethylene instead of PVdC, for environmental reasons. Happy Birthday, Mr. Wiley. 3

Paying US Taxes The traditional deadline for paying federal (and state) income taxes is April 15. To get some tax help: s Post offices and libraries all have basic tax forms and instructions. The forms and publications are free. s Call the Internal Revenue Service at 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676) any time they will mail you the forms, instructions, and publications you need, or tell you how to download them to your computer. Listen in English or Spanish. s Go to www.irs.gov to: a) download forms, instructions, and publications, b) learn about electronic filing; refunds come faster if you do; specifically see www.irs.gov/ Filing c) find out when you will get your refund (if any). d) find the location of an IRS office near you, where you can ask uestions in person (at www. irs.gov/localcontacts/index. html). s Go to one of the many volunteer walk-in tax advice sites in shopping malls, community centers, libraries, and churches. You will see them a lot in early April. You may see services offered by IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program (for people with incomes less than $54,000/year, or with disabilities or limited English) or IRS Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) (for people age 60+). 4 Phishing and Tax Scams Around tax time, watch out for phishing, or tion for direct deposit of the rebate. Or he internet-based tax scams (illegal attempts to says that the IRS sent you a check but you get your money or personal financial information) (pronounced fishing as in fishing for count number. Don t give it! The IRS does not never cashed it, and asks for your bank ac- information ). The thief uses your information give rebates for early filers, does not gather to take money from your bank account, buy bank information by telephone, and does not things with your credit card, or damage your follow up on un-cashed checks. credit rating. The IRS recommends: For example, you might get an email that looks s Be skeptical of email or letters you are not like it is from the Internal Revenue Service expecting. Verify before replying. (IRS) - like tax-refunds@irs.gov or admin@ s Do not tell anyone your PIN or secret passwords; legitimate organizations do not need irs.gov. The message says you are eligible for a refund or credit and asks for your bank or ask for this information. account information. You are directed to a s If you get an email that makes you suspicious, do not follow its links; instead, go website that is almost identical to the real IRS one, but is really a fake. Here, you are asked independently to the IRS site www.irs.gov for personal and financial information that the s As is always the case, never open an attachment to an email unless you are very sure real IRS page does not reuire (like your credit card number, mother s maiden name, and/or what it is; it may contain a computer virus. other personal information). These messages s Shred paper documents with your financial are scams. The IRS never sends unsolicited information on them before discarding. (unreuested) email to people about tax matters. The only way to get a tax refund is by Voice over Internet Protocol, the caller could s Don t be fooled by a local area code. With filing a tax return. be anywhere in the world. Other scams involve telephone calls in which If you think you have encountered one of these the caller offers you something wonderful - for schemes, forward the email to spam@uce.gov. example, a big rebate (refund) for filing taxes Contact the IRS hotline set up for this purpose: early. He asks for your bank account informa- 1-800-366-4484. Vocabulary for Today s Politics :( I can t believe I m writing this. But here are some terms you may have been reading about in our political news. Honestly, I had to look them up myself at www.urbandictionary.com... sucker punch: (A man sucker punched a protestor at a political rally.) Hitting someone hard with a closed fist, underneath the rib cage, up against the diaphragm, forcing air out the lungs and mouth, and putting the victim in a defenseless position. : choke artist (One politician called his rival a choke artist because he got so nervous he could not debate well.) Failing to perform often and in important situations because of being tense. dog whistle (One party accused the other of having used a dog whistle strategy.) A literal dog whistle can be heard by dogs but not humans. As a metaphor, it means people silently or obliuely allowing something to happen while overtly claiming to do the opposite.

Parent-Teacher Conferences Are you satisfied with your what this means. It is fine to children s education? Do you ask the teacher to talk more hope something will be different next year? In the spring, he has said. Some international slowly, and to repeat what she/ schools plan for fall. Many parents ask a friend whose schools have parent-teacher English is very good to come to conferences to discuss these the conference with them. plans. If your school does not, you may ask to meet with the s If you have complaints teacher anyway. about something the teacher does, think ahead about how If you think your child should have some extra to discuss it. Americans certainly talk about their services from the school (like more training concerns with teachers, and you can too. Have in English, extra challenges in their strongest one or two specific examples in mind to discuss. subjects, an assessment of special needs, extra Give the teacher time to explain his/her views. help for their weakest subjects, or help in social Remember that, in the American system, you areas) this is a good time to ask. You should be and the teacher are considered partners in your able to talk about your concerns at any time. But child s education. Explain what schools are like this is one of the times the school actually invites in your own country, if it seems important. Make your input. Most schools welcome suggestions it clear that you understand this is an American and involvement from parents. You should be school, but that you think it would be helpful to respectful of the school s professional judgment. explain your child s school history (and future, Remember that they must be concerned with the if you will be going home soon). Make specific well-being of all the children in the school. But it is suggestions if you can. Then, wait a week or perfectly acceptable to make your ideas known. two to see if the situation improves. If it does not, Here are some practical tips: it is fine to talk to someone else in the school about your concern. You might try the guidance s It is best for both parents to go to the parentteacher meeting, if possible. Ask the teacher to start with the teacher. counselor, the principal, or the headmaster. But try to schedule some meeting times that allow for parents work schedules. You will both have s Say something positive about the teacher and/ a better sense of your child s school experience, or the school. Americans like an open expression and the teacher will appreciate your support and of thanks. If you are pleased with how school is interest. going, this will be easy. If you are unhappy with the school, saying something positive will help s Be sure you understand all the teacher tells the teacher be more willing to listen to your criticism. you. It is common for international and American parents to leave a school conference without really understanding the meaning of what the s Ask for test records, work samples, reading teacher has said. If the teacher talks about standardized test scores, be sure you understand will be helpful when you go back to your home lists, or curriculum descriptions, if you think they what the tests measure, what the scores mean, country. Do this each year, even if you will not and what the school does with the scores. If she/ be returning home for some time. Your home he talks about putting your child into a particular group based on academic level (such as a tion about what your child has studied. school will appreciate having such clear informa- reading group or track) be sure you understand Tips for Hiring Someone to Prepare Your Tax Return s Be cautious of tax preparers who claim they can obtain larger refunds than other preparers. s Avoid preparers who base their fee on a percentage of the amount of the refund. s Use a reputable tax professional who signs your tax return and provides you with a copy for your records. s Consider whether the individual or firm will be around to answer uestions about the preparation of your tax return after the return has been filed. s No matter who prepares your tax return, you, are ultimately responsible for all of the information on your tax return. Therefore, never sign a blank tax form. s Find out the person s credentials. Only attorneys, certified public accountants and enrolled agents can represent taxpayers before the IRS in all matters including audits, collection and appeals. Other return preparers may only represent taxpayers for audits of returns they actually prepared. s Find out if the preparer is affiliated with a professional organization that provides its members with continuing education and resources and holds them to a code of ethics. s Ask uestions and get references. [adapted from www.irs.gov] 5

Margarine or Butter? Researchers have warned about the risks to the heart from eating too much saturated fat and trans fat. Now there is an overwhelming number of choices in the dairy section. Here is some background to why different products have been developed, and some hints about how to make a choice: Most margarine in the US today is made from plants (like corn, sunflower, or safflower plants). The most common reason people use margarine instead of butter is that it has less (or no) cholesterol and less saturated fat. However, hydrogenation (the process used to make liuid vegetable oil into solid margarine) causes the formation of trans fats, which cause an increase in LDL, or bad cholesterol (the kind that can lead to blocked blood arteries) and a decrease in HDL or good cholesterol (that protects your body). In addition, margarine usually has added chemicals to keep it fresh and coloring to make it yellow. Recently, many new kinds of margarine, called spreads, have been developed. These are usually sold in plastic tubs or sueeze bottles. A higher proportion of the fat in these new spreads is unsaturated. They also have fewer calories than butter and plain margarine. Most manage this by using vegetable oil in a more liuid (less hydrogenated) form, and/or by adding air or water, both of which are still considered healthy! But be careful of what you are buying some kinds add gelatin and other additives to keep the fat and calorie count low. continued on page 7 6 Rules of Baseball April brings the opening of the season for professional, or major league, baseball. Countless fans attend the games or listen to them on TV and radio throughout the summer. Most Americans, even unathletic ones, understand and have played baseball (or its cousin, softball). Here are enough rules to help you watch your first game. If you have more uestions, ask any American! s Two teams of nine players take turns being up at bat and in the field. An inning is one cycle of turns (Team A is up at bat, then Team B is up at bat). A game has nine innings. s A baseball field has a diamond and an outfield. The diamond is the runway connecting four corner bases: home plate, and first, second, and third bases. The outfield is the space outside of the diamond. s The team that is in the field has one player in each position: pitcher (who throws the ball to the batter on the other team), catcher (who is behind the batter at home base), first, second, and third basemen (one at each base), short stop (who stands between second and third base), and three outfielders (who stand far back, out in left, center, and right field). s While the batter who is up at bat stands beside home plate, the pitcher must throw the ball directly over home plate at a height that falls between the batter s knees and shoulders. If the ball is outside this target area, the batter should not swing at it; it s called a ball. If the pitcher throws four such balls to one batter, the batter gets to walk to first base without interruption. If the ball is inside the target area, the batter should swing at it. If he swings and misses, it s called a strike. If the batter does not swing at a ball that is in the target area, it s also considered a strike. If he gets three strikes in one turn, he has struck out and his turn is over. If he hits the ball in such a way that it goes high in the air, it s called a fly ball. If the other team catches a fly ball before it touches the ground, the batter is out and has to leave the field. s If the batter hits the ball, he tries to run to each base before the other team can throw the ball there or touch the batter with the ball. He tries to run to as many bases as he can. Most often, he will only get to first base before the other team gets the ball there. If it is a close race, the batter stops at first base, and the next batter takes a turn. If the ball gets to the base before the batter, the batter is out and he leaves the field. s When the next batter starts to run to first base, the first player runs toward second base. The player on second base runs toward third. The player on third runs to home base. A batter scores a run (a point) when he gets back to home plate. Players in the outfield try to get the ball to a base before a batter gets there. If they succeed, the batter is out. s Sometimes, of course, the batter can get continued on page 7

Delegates and Other Higher Math After each primary or caucus, you ll hear about however they like, regardless of the,outcome a delegate count. Each state can send a of the primary or caucus. certain number of delegates to the nominating conventions this summer, where the final other people in the political system who get to And finally, each Party has superdelegates, two candidates will be officially chosen (2472 vote at the national convention. The Democrats allow Democratic governors, current Republican delegates and 4765 Democratic ones). The final nominee needs a majority of Congress members, and party officials to be these delegates to vote for her/him. superdelegates (15% of the total) to attend and vote for whomever they like; some of these The number of delegates each state gets to superdelegates have already announced who send is a complicated matter having to do with they will vote for (although they could technically change their minds). Republicans have its size and its voting patterns in prior elections. And states differ in their rules about how fewer superdelegates (7%) - 3 members of delegates should vote at the summer convention. Some states have winner takes all they must vote for the candidate who got most each state party organization may attend, but elections; whoever gets the most votes during votes in their state s primary or caucus. the primary or caucus gets all that state s delegates - but this can be either state-wide or If we get to summer and no one has the district by district. In other states, delegates are needed number of delegates, I ll explain what awarded proportionally - the more votes, the happens at a brokered convention. Till then, more delegates. Then, you don t want to because that s not know... complicated enough, some states allow To keep your eye on this delegates - or some of exciting race, try www. their delegates - to vote realclearpolitics.com. continued from page 6 THE RULES OF BASEBALL to second or third base, or even all the way around to home plate before the ball catches up with him. This is called a home run, or a homer. If a batter gets a home run when the bases are loaded (there is a player from his team on first, second, and third base when he steps up to bat), it is called a grand slam. All four batters score runs in that turn. s A player is allowed to run from one base to another in between batters turns up at bat. If he gets to the new base before the other team throws the ball there, he has stolen the base. s When players on the team at bat have had three outs, the other team comes up to bat. The team with the most points at the end of nine innings wins. s There are two Major Leagues in professional baseball the National League and the American League. During the Major League season (April through September), teams compete mostly against other teams in their league. Then, each League has a series of play-off games within Divisions, in what is called the Pennant race. The winners of each League s Pennant race then compete against each other in a seven-game World Series. continued from page 6 To learn what is in each product, read the Ingredients on the label which, by law, must be listed in decreasing order of amount. Look for a product with the lowest amount of saturated fats and no trans fats at all. The differences between butter and the many kinds of margarine affect how each tastes, and how each acts when you cook with it. I leave the taste uestion to you. About how they act: For baked goods (like pie crusts) that reuire an exact amount of fat, do not use reduced-fat margarine or spread. Do not use margarine and spreads that are lower than 60% oil for baking and frying. They will work for spreading and putting on top of foods, but not for adding moisture or fat. Bottom line, the Harvard Health Publication suggests that we use butter and the newer margarines (in tubs) sparingly and that we avoid stick margarine altogether. It also recommends substituting olive oil for either one. So - to deal with the overwhelming number of choices in the store, decide what is most important to you taste, lack of added chemicals, lack of saturated fat, ease of use, usefulness for frying, etc. Study the different brands once. Then memorize the color and words on the label, buy that again next time, and do not think about it again! 7

That Crazy English: Baseball Idioms Newcomer s Almanac is published monthly by The Interchange Institute, for people who have recently moved to the United States. Its goal is to promote international understanding by providing information about the American holidays, customs, values, social issues, and language that often confuse and surprise newcomers. It is written by Anne P. Copeland, PhD, who is a clinical psychologist and the Director of The Interchange Institute. She is an American and has lived and worked overseas with her family. The Interchange Institute is a not-forprofit organization that studies the impact of intercultural transitions on individuals, their families, and the organizations for which they work. From the results of this research, the Institute offers seminars and workshops, produces publications, and provides consultative services to the international newcomers, their organizations, and to host communities, recognizing that change and insight on both sides facilitates smooth transition. Subscriptions: Please contact The Interchange Institute for information about subscription fees, site licenses, and discount rates: The Interchange Institute Tel. 617.566.2227 www.interchangeinstitute.org email: newcomer@interchangeinstitute.org 8 Copyright 2016. Anne P. Copeland. All rights reserved. No photocopying allowed except under terms of site license. American English is rich in idioms from the game of baseball. Read the Rules of Baseball on page 6 to understand these better: The first book he wrote was good but the next one was a grand slam. (The first book he wrote was good but the next one was a huge success in every way.) We need a power hitter for this project. (We need our strongest person for this project.) He was trying to sell her his old computer but he couldn t get to first base. (He was trying to sell her his old computer but she was not at all interested.) (This idiom is also used to refer to a man who is unsuccessful in winning a woman s affections.) Hey! That uestion was really a curve ball. (Hey! That uestion was very tricky.) (In baseball, if a pitcher throws a ball in a special way, it will seem to curve away from home plate then back again into the strike zone, making it very difficult to hit.) She is waiting to hear whether she has been accepted to all the schools she applied to. So far she is batting a thousand. (...So far, she has been accepted to all those she has heard from.) (In baseball, a player s number of hits divided by number of times at bat is his batting average. Batting a thousand (an average of 1.000) means never missing.)

English Practice Worksheet to Accompany Newcomer s Almanac UNDERSTANDING WHAT YOU READ Read The Rules of Baseball on page 6. Mark each of the following sentences True or False. Change all the sentences you mark False to make them correct. April 2016 HOMEWORK the other team is up at bat. 1. After one team has gotten three strikes, one inning is over. True False 2. A player who makes a grand slam earns four points for his team. 3. The final game of the season is the Pennant Race. 4. Batters usually have time to run past first base after they hit the ball. 5. If a batter hits a fly ball and the other team catches it before it hits the ground, it is considered a strike. 6. The only way to get a strike is to swing at a ball and miss. 7. If a player steals a base, he is out. 8. If the pitcher throws a ball outside the target area four times to one batter, the batter may walk safely to first base. 9. A short stop stands between first and second base. 10. It is possible for a player to be on third base when no player is on first or second base. 11. It is good to hit a homer when the bases are loaded. 1

WITH A PEN 1. Read The Rules of Baseball on pages 6. Write the rules to a popular sports game in your home country. How does the game begin and end? Do the players have different jobs? 2. Read Passover on page 3. Write a description of the food (and its symbolic meaning) served at an important holiday in your country. 3. Read That Crazy English on page 8. Write a list of three idioms in your home language that are based on a sport. Translate them into English and explain what they mean. 4. Read Delegates and Other Higher Math on page 7. Write a description of how political leaders are chosen in your home country. If there are elections, describe any differences you have observed between the US and your home country. 5. Read Vocabulary for Today s Politics :( on page 4. Write a letter to a friend at home describing the reaction to the US election you have observed among your American friends and colleagues. 6. Read Margarine or Butter? on pages 6 and 7. Write a list of US dairy products you do not have in your home country, and a list of those you have there but not here. 2 TAX VOCABULARY Read Paying US Taxes and Tips for Hiring Someone to Prepare Your Tax Return on pages 4 and 5. Below is a simplified copy of the beginning of the US income tax form, followed by some vocabulary words. Complete the form for yourself or an imaginary friend. Pick the correct meaning of each word, in the context of a tax form. word meaning (a) meaning (b) 1. return go back form for paying taxes 2. postmarked received by the IRS received by the Post Office 3. refunds taxes you overpaid extra taxes you owe 4. filing tax-paying making smooth 5. cautious trusting careful 6. reputable known for honesty famous 7. ultimately in the end partially 8. audit official check on accuracy trial for wrong-doing 9. affiliated friendly with connected to officially BASEBALL IDIOMS 2015 Read That Crazy English on page 8. Re-write these sentences using a baseball idiom: 1. The exam included too many obscure uestions; it wasn t fair. 2. So far I have guessed the winner of very election in my life; I m doing well. 3. He s too new at this job. For this client we need a real professional.

OUT AND ABOUT 1. Read The Rules of Baseball on page 6. Watch at least 2 innings of a baseball game (on TV or in a playground). Observe a strike, a fly ball, an out, and a ball. Identify the pitcher, catcher, and short stop. 2. Read Tips for Hiring Someone to Prepare Your Tax Return on page 5. Practice listening to recorded announcements on the telephone by calling 1-800-829-1040 (it will be a free call), using a touch tone telephone. 3. Read Margarine or Butter? on pages 6 and 7. In a supermarket, count the number of different brands of margarine, butter, spread, or other choices. Too many choices??!! 3

IF YOU USE THE WEB 1. Read The Rules of Baseball on page 6. Go to www. mlb.com to find a list of teams and their schedules. Click on Schedule. Pick the team closest to where you live in the US as your team. Can you go?? 2. Read Tips for Hiring Someone to Prepare Your Tax Return on page 5. Go to www.irs.gov/ localcontacts/index. html and click on the state where you live (on the map). Where is the closest place to get help with your taxes? What services are provided there? When is the office open? 3. Read Delegates and Other Higher Math on page 7. Go to www.realclearpolitics. com to see the latest delegate count for the Republican ( GOP ) and Democratic races. WITH A FRIEND 1. Read the articles about taxes on pages 4 and 5. Describe to a partner how the government in your home country gets the money it needs. How is this process different from in the US? Discuss any things an individual has to pay for in the US that are provided free in your home country. 2. Read Parent-Teacher Conferences on page 5. With a partner, take one of the following roles of a parent or a teacher. Pretend you have just started a parent conference. Parent: Your daughter Anna is in fourth grade. When you see her teacher, the teacher always smiles and says what a wonderful student Anna is. So you were surprised when Anna did not get all A grades on her latest report. You have increased the amount of time Anna must spend on her homework, but you plan to ask the teacher to be more strict, and to give you more honest feedback about Anna s work. Teacher: Your student Anna is a delightful child. She seems happy, has many friends, works hard, and seems to be learning well, even though she has just been speaking English for one year. But in the past few weeks you have noticed that Anna seems tired and sad. You plan to ask her parents to relax a little and not be so strict with Anna. Talk together for 2-3 minutes then switch roles. Which role was easier for you? Why? 3. Read about Phishing and Tax Scams on page 4. Compare the issue of fraud and cheating, and how to protect against it, in the US and your home country. 4. Read Supreme Court Nomination on pages 1 and 2. The US Constitution designed the Supreme Court to avoid the influence of politics. Talk with a friend or partner about how judges are selected in your home country, and about the level of political influence there. Compare with what you have observed in the US. ANSWER CORNER Understanding What you Read 2. T 3. F The final game... is in the World Series. 4. F Batters usually do not have time... 5. F If a batter hits a fly ball... the batter is out. 6. F One way to get a strike is to... 7. F If a player steals a base, he is not out. 8. T 9. F A short stop stands between 2nd and 3rd base. 10. T 11. T 4 The Interchange Institute, 2016 Tax Vocabulary 1b 2b 3a 4a 5b 6a 7b 8b 9a Baseball Idioms 1. The exam included too many curve balls; it wasn t fair. 2. So far I have guessed the winner of very election in my life; I m batting a thousand. 3. He s too new at this job. For this client we need a power hitter.