| Story:
Ukraine Opposition Leader Victim of Poisoning, 12/15/04
Reading Comprehension Questions: 1. What did Austrian doctors discover about Viktor Yushchenko?
2. What are dioxins?
3. What has Yushchenko been campaigning for? Against whom?
4. What may have caused Yushchenko's disfigurement?
5. Who do Yushchenko and his supporters believe to be responsible for the poisoning?
6. What is the link between the KGB and Russian President Vladimir Putin?
7. In what infamous case was a BBC reporter allegedly murdered by the KGB?
8. Is Yushchenko expected to survive the alleged attempt on his life? Discussion Activity (more research might be needed): 1. Research the chemical dioxin? Where does it come from and where is it found in the environment? Is the general public ever exposed to it? How? In what quantities can dioxin exposure be harmful? Explain? 2. What are some other famous cases of poisoning in history or in literature? What were the circumstances? Write a 300-500 word essay on either of these topics providing clear examples. Send your completed editorial to NewsHour Extra (extra@newshour.org). Exceptional essays might be published on our Web site. |