Live and Learn English with Jean Lee

This week's on-air puzzle on NPR comes from listener Dan Pitt of Palo Alto, Calif. You will be given common five-letter words in Spanish. (meaning of each Spanish word inside parenthesis)   Just rearrange the letters to make common five-letter English words.   Example: ROBAR (to steal) --> ARBOR 1.    ECHAR (to throw) 2.    TOCAR (to touch) 3.    TOSER (to cough) 4.    TENER (to have) 5.    LAVAR (to wash) 6.    ABRIR (to open) 7.    SOLER (to usually do) 8.    HABER (to have) 9.    PONER (to put) 10.   DECIR (to say or tell) 11.  ODIAR (to hate)   Answer Keys 1.    Reach 2.    Actor 3.    Store 4.    Enter 5.    Larva 6.    Briar 7.    Loser 8.    Rehab 9.    Proud 10.          ...

The four rarest letters in English are J, Q, X, and Z — which together account for less than 1% of all use in the language. I'm going to give you some words. Change a single letter in each one to a J, Q, X, or Z to make a new word. Example: MANOR --> MAJOR 1.    SUITE 2.    ENACT 3.    INSECT 4.    EITHER 5.    CONVEY 6.    DUALITY   Answer Keys 1.    QUITE 2.    EXACT 3.    INJECT 4.    ZITHER 5.    CONVEX 6.    QUALITY    

  “Word Power” The following quiz was created by Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon, who were inspired by the book “You’re Saying It Wrong” by Ross and Kathryn Petras. Check them out to see how many of the words you, using the context of each sentence.   1.    People on our block are still picking up detritus from Billy’s birthday bash.    (      ) a.    subtracted amount b.    debris c.    falsified claim   2.    If Dad wants to regift his dinosaur tie, that’s his prerogative.    (         ) a.    educated guess b.    first choice c.    special right   3.    But enough about you; let’s segue to the topic of snakes.    (        ) a.    transition b.    completely surround c.    begin a court case   ...

  I'm going to give you a two-word phrase. Think of a famous person whose first and last names rhyme, respectively, with the two words in the phrase. Example: Shirt Style (with the hint "composer") --> KURT WEILL    1.    Fan Mail (vice president)  2. Bike Tires (actor/comedian) 3. Fat Burner (preacher/historical figure) 4. Get Smart (author) 5. Checks Out (mystery writer) 6. Barrel Swing (singer/songwriter) 7. Place Kick (singer) 8. Chill With (actor) 9. Dairy Bar (actress) 10. Strike Zones (film director)     Expressions 1.    Dan Quail 2.    Mike Myers 3.    Nat Turner 4.    Brad Hart 5.    Rex (Todhunter) Stout 6.    Carol King 7.    Grace Slick 8.    Will Smith 9.    Terri Garr 10.                  Spike Jonze