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Homework Review · Senior

Senior Fair 2026-08-06 · Education and the future: experienced journalists mentoring students, funding for PhD research, and university mergers in an era of financial pressure. · Reviewed August 16, 2026

βœ… Strengths

πŸ’ͺ Areas to Improve

πŸ“ Exercise Review

Comprehension Check

Completeness: complete Β· Accuracy: good

The main idea is identifiable but needs polishing. Suggest: 'After leaving 60 Minutes amid a shakeup, Pelley and Alfonsi are now teaching the next generation of journalists at Columbia.' Note also that Alfonsi's contract was not renewed, so 'fired' is not fully accurate for both journalists.

Vocab Builder

Completeness: complete

The main-idea sentence for the Cambridge article is accurate: PhD funding is dropping and this threatens the future of research and the UK. The word bank definitions are uneven: 'shakeup' is correct; 'mentor' is too thin; 'privilege' is inaccurate in context. Suggest: 'mentor β€” an experienced adviser who guides someone'; 'privilege β€” a special honour or opportunity.'

Critical Thinking

Completeness: complete Β· Depth: fair

The student answered all three articles' discussion questions. Responses show genuine reasoning, such as recognizing that mergers have financial benefits but also social costs, and asking a personal career question to a journalist. However, several points are underdeveloped and contain translation-like phrasing. Suggest expanding each answer with one more piece of evidence from the article and checking grammar.

See It Differently

Completeness: partial Β· Depth: surface

This answer is off prompt. It cites evidence from the 60 Minutes article, but the question after Q3 asks for evidence from the super-university article, such as the warning that 24 universities could go bankrupt or that 45% of higher education providers might be in debt by 2025-26. Rewrite: 'The article supports its argument by citing the Office for Students' warning that 24 universities could go bankrupt and that 45% of providers may be in debt.'

Quick Write

Completeness: complete Β· Depth: fair

The opinion is clear and uses the article's idea that Pelley and Alfonsi have rich investigative experience. The argument would be stronger with exact numbers: Pelley spent 37 years at CBS News, and Alfonsi spent more than a decade at 60 Minutes. 'Something normal teachers can't do' is informal; suggest: 'something ordinary textbook-based teaching cannot offer.' The point about mentoring the next generation is strong and matches Alfonsi's stated desire to work with young journalists who ask tough questions.

πŸ“Έ Homework Images

Page 1
Date
I. Journalists beceme Teachers.
1. I think so. Both Alfonsi and Peley have rich
experiences in journalism, spending more than 10 years
reporting news, so they could teach students with vivid examples,
from their life in stead of just principles on the book -
something normal teachers can't do. Also, they can menter
students, helping the next generation, nurturing the future
journalism. That's far more meaningful than just reporting news.
2. Maybe this is a result of the tempt to innovate.
For Bari or Nick, maybe the old, experienced journalist got
stuck in their comfort zone and are lack of innovation. So they
make the changes to boost uniqueness and noole style, to
make the program more appealing.
3. I want to ask: What makes you determined to
be a journalist and report news for more than a decade?
Because as a student, I still have little idea of which
part of the journalism I want to work for, and I want
some stories to boost my motivation, to help me carry on
in the future.
Page 1 answers the first article's prompts with real engagement. The student's opinion in Q1 is clear and cites the journalists' experience, but the evidence is vague: 'more than 10 years' should be 'Pelley spent 37 years at CBS News and Alfonsi more than a decade at 60 Minutes.' Spelling errors are frequent: 'beceme', 'Peley', 'menter', 'tempt', 'noole'. The phrase 'in stead of just principles on the book' should be rewritten as 'instead of just principles from a textbook'; 'are lack of innovation' should be 'lack innovation' or 'are lacking innovation.' Q2 offers a reasonable assumption about Bari Weiss and Nick Bilton wanting a fresh direction. Q3 is a thoughtful personal question for a journalist, though 'boost my motivation' sounds slightly forced; suggest 'inspire me' or 'strengthen my motivation.' Overall, the ideas are sound but need editing.
Page 2
β…‘ Cambridge
1. I think they should . Because just as Prentice said,
PhD programs are essential to the country's future. It help
train the next generation of scientists, engineers ... These people
are the one that can lead new discoveries, bring social wealth,
boost the nations finance. Budgets are tight now, but it
shouldn't be the burden to people who will make the budget
loose in the future.

2. I might felt worried and alarmed. Because without
enough grant, my PhD programs couln't continue. and I need
to get to work earlier. I will plan to study abroad, maybe
go to Yale to study.

3. To the UK government: We sincerely argue for more PhD
funding. These money are important to help PhD students continue
their research. With out them, they might choose to study
abroad or leave academia, which is a huge loss for our
country. Moreover, it will be a great help to grant those students
now, and they will be truely thankful to you. We believe a
wise government like you, will consider our request.
From, University of Cambridge. 亚
ηΊͺηΊΈεˆΆε“
Page 2 addresses the Cambridge funding prompts and shows good understanding of the article. The student correctly uses Prentice's argument that PhD students are essential to the country's future, and the point about not burdening future innovators is a nice extension. However, grammar slips are constant: 'I think they should .' has a stray space; 'It help train' β†’ 'It helps train'; 'These people are the one' β†’ 'These people are the ones'; 'These money are' β†’ 'This money is'; 'With out' β†’ 'Without'; 'truely' β†’ 'truly.' The phrase 'boost the nations finance' should be 'boost the nation's finances.' The letter to the government has both an emotional and a factual appeal, but 'they will be truely thankful to you' is a weak closer; suggest: 'they will repay that investment through discoveries that benefit the whole country.' The 'study at Yale' detail feels random for a UK-focused response, but it is not wrong.
Page 3
β…‘. Super-University,
1. Up to now, merging seems to be a solution to solve
financial problems, since it only take half of the money than
before to mentor students and can boost reinvestigations.
But it can't be denied that students will meet challenges since
the number is doubled, They may face more lomplex Social
net work and struggle to have deep relationship with teachers
that help their academic performances.

2. I might found myself facing more classmates than I could
handle, and I might find it difficult to ask teacher questions
since others have the same requirements. I want a clear
guidance and assurance of my college life. I want to know
who can we seek help from if we need.

3, The University of Forks and The University of La Push
are going to merge this September. due to the lack of financial
support. Their merger may bring reinvestigation that can help them
solve current issue. Students in these too schools may have a chance
to meet more people, to broaden their horizon and to gain life
experience. This will be a chance and a challenge for all
of them.
Page 3 covers the super-university prompts with a balanced view: the student sees both the financial benefits and the possible social and academic difficulties. Many sentences are unidiomatic: 'it only take half of the money than before' β†’ 'it only takes half as much money as before'; 'boost reinvestigations' β†’ 'boost reinvestment'; 'lomplex Social net work' β†’ 'complex social networks'; 'I might found myself' β†’ 'I might find myself'; 'too schools' β†’ 'two schools.' The direct question 'who can we seek help from if we need' should be reported correctly as 'who we can seek help from if we need it.' The fictional merger article is creative and shows the right idea, but it ends too quickly and does not explain what will actually change for students. Focus on subject-verb agreement and noun endings: relationships, horizons, issues.
Page 4
NO.
Date
Read & Respond.
1. Two experienced journalists were fired by "60 Minutes" News
Programme and root themselves in classroom, nurturing the
next generation of journalism.
2. PhD funding of Cambridge drops, bringing concerns
for the expectation of students, the prospect of the academy,
and the future of UK.
3. Two of UK's universities are going to merge into a super-
-university due to financial problems. It will be a shift
for students.
4. The article provide clear numbers, like saying Pelley work 31 years
at CBS News, Alfonsi spent more then a decade in the "60
Minutes" to show their rich experience.
Word Bank.
Definition.
shakeup
a big change that was unexpected.
mentor
teach.
privilege
Something prioritized, better than
normal things.
δΊšζ΄²ηΊΈεˆΆε“
Page 4 completes the 'Read & Respond' exercises and a word bank. Q1 captures the main idea but should be revised: 'Two experienced journalists were fired... and root themselves in classroom' β†’ 'Two experienced journalists, let go from 60 Minutes, are now bringing their experience into the classroom.' Q2 summarizes the Cambridge article well, though 'the expectation of students' is unclear; suggest 'students' prospects.' Q3 is acceptable but 'Two of UK's universities' should be 'Two of the UK's universities.' Q4 is off target for a 'See It Differently' question: the student gives evidence from the 60 Minutes article, and misstates Pelley's tenure as 31 years when the article says 37; the question after Q3 likely asks for evidence from the super-university article. The word definitions are uneven: 'shakeup' is good; 'mentor' as 'teach' is too narrow, and 'privilege' as 'something prioritized, better than normal things' misses the contextual meaning of 'a special honour or opportunity.'

✏️ Grammar & Spelling

OriginalCorrection
becemebecame
PeleyPelley
mentermentor
temptattempt
noolenovel
in steadinstead
are lack of innovationlack innovation
the future journalismthe future of journalism
It helpIt helps
These people are the oneThese people are the ones
the nations financethe nation's finances
make the budget loosemake the budget less tight
I might feltI might feel
without enough grantwithout enough funding
couln'tcouldn't
These money areThis money is
With outWithout
truelytruly
wise government like youa wise government like yours
From, University of Cambridge.From the University of Cambridge
it only take half of the money than beforeit only takes half as much money as before
reinvestigationsreinvestment
lomplexcomplex
Social net worksocial networks
deep relationshipdeep relationships
academic performancesacademic performance
I might found myselfI might find myself
ask teacher questionsask teachers questions
a clear guidanceclear guidance
who can we seek help fromwho we can seek help from
too schoolstwo schools
current issuecurrent issues
broaden their horizonbroaden their horizons
root themselves in classroomare bringing their experience into the classroom
next generation of journalismnext generation of journalists
PhD funding of Cambridge dropsPhD funding at Cambridge is dropping
the expectation of studentsstudents' prospects
future of UKfuture of the UK
Two of UK's universitiesTwo of the UK's universities
The article provideThe article provides
Pelley work 31 yearsPelley worked 37 years
more thenmore than
in the "60 Minutes"at "60 Minutes"
something normal teachers can't dosomething ordinary textbook teaching cannot offer
boost my motivationinspire me / strengthen my motivation
privilege: Something prioritized, better than normal thingsprivilege: a special honour or opportunity
mentor: teach.mentor: an experienced guide who advises and supports someone
I think they should .I think they should.
they will be truely thankful to youthey will use that investment to benefit the country
the burden to peoplea burden on people

πŸ“ Transcribed Text

Click to expand each section.

Comprehension Check
1. Two experienced journalists were fired by "60 Minutes" News Programme and root themselves in classroom, nurturing the next generation of journalism.
Vocab Builder
2. PhD funding of Cambridge drops, bringing concerns for the expectation of students, the prospect of the academy, and the future of UK.
Word Bank.
shakeup: a big change that was unexpected.
mentor: teach.
privilege: Something prioritized, better than normal things.
Critical Thinking
Page 1 Q2: Maybe this is a result of the tempt to innovate. For Bari or Nick, maybe the old, experienced journalist got stuck in their comfort zone and are lack of innovation. So they make the changes to boost uniqueness and noole style, to make the program more appealing.
Page 1 Q3: I want to ask: What makes you determined to be a journalist and report news for more than a decade? Because as a student, I still have little idea of which part of the journalism I want to work for, and I want some stories to boost my motivation, to help me carry on in the future.
Page 2 Q1: I think they should. Because just as Prentice said, PhD programs are essential to the country's future. It help train the next generation of scientists, engineers... These people are the one that can lead new discoveries, bring social wealth, boost the nations finance. Budgets are tight now, but it shouldn't be the burden to people who will make the budget loose in the future.
Page 2 Q2: I might felt worried and alarmed. Because without enough grant, my PhD programs couln't continue. and I need to get to work earlier. I will plan to study abroad, maybe go to Yale to study.
Page 2 Q3: To the UK government: We sincerely argue for more PhD funding. These money are important to help PhD students continue their research. With out them, they might choose to study abroad or leave academia, which is a huge loss for our country. Moreover, it will be a great help to grant those students now, and they will be truely thankful to you. We believe a wise government like you, will consider our request. From, University of Cambridge.
Page 3 Q1: Up to now, merging seems to be a solution to solve financial problems, since it only take half of the money than before to mentor students and can boost reinvestigations. But it can't be denied that students will meet challenges since the number is doubled, They may face more lomplex Social net work and struggle to have deep relationship with teachers that help their academic performances.
Page 3 Q2: I might found myself facing more classmates than I could handle, and I might find it difficult to ask teacher questions since others have the same requirements. I want a clear guidance and assurance of my college life. I want to know who can we seek help from if we need.
Page 3 Q3: The University of Forks and The University of La Push are going to merge this September. due to the lack of financial support. Their merger may bring reinvestigation that can help them solve current issue. Students in these too schools may have a chance to meet more people, to broaden their horizon and to gain life experience. This will be a chance and a challenge for all of them.
See It Differently
4. The article provide clear numbers, like saying Pelley work 31 years at CBS News, Alfonsi spent more then a decade in the "60 Minutes" to show their rich experience.
Quick Write
1. I think so. Both Alfonsi and Peley have rich experiences in journalism, spending more than 10 years reporting news, so they could teach students with vivid examples, from their life in stead of just principles on the book - something normal teachers can't do. Also, they can menter students, helping the next generation, nurturing the future journalism. That's far more meaningful than just reporting news.