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« The Dictionator's Diary (formerly Famin's Blog)

Play This Game, End World Hunger

A friend just sent me this link to FreeRice.com. On the page is a vocabulary-building game. Guess the meaning of the word and for each right answer the site will donate 20 grains of rice to the United Nations World Food Programme.

With each word you get right, the words get harder (so it's better if you don't cheat!). The site--and the rice donations--is funded by the advertisements that banner at the top and bottom of the screen, and they're unobtrusive enough that I didn't even notice them. So, by playing the game not only do you get smarter but you're feeding people who don't get enough food to eat.

I'm on Level 42 (not the band) right now, but they go up to 55 levels. Some of the words I've never even heard of before--like carronade, which is a type of cannon.

Besides, how often do you get to do good in the world by playing a game? This is a news story about some refugees who were fed by the rice donated by FreeRice.com.

Leave a Comment

Posted by Famin

Feb 7, 2008 7:51 AM

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Famin, you're such a diplomat. I played.
Posted by Mannie_Annie Feb 7, 2008 10:03 AM Report Abuse

Wow, Famin. Thanks for the positive and interactive link!
Posted by CinderAngelkc Feb 7, 2008 10:27 AM Report Abuse

I got to 200 grains and quit. Again, thanks. I love word games and when they help someone it's even better.
Posted by CinderAngelkc Feb 7, 2008 10:35 AM Report Abuse

I've been playing it for weeks and it is pretty addictive. I always try to get my vocabulary level up as high as I can go and then I'll get a string of really hard words and end up down two levels from where I started. Thanks for telling everyone about it, Famin.
Posted by BewiXed1 Feb 7, 2008 10:41 AM Report Abuse

I'm proud of you girl! You've used your powers for good.
Posted by RevVee - owner of the LPP! Feb 7, 2008 10:58 AM Report Abuse

Truly one of the best things on the Web. Thanks.
Posted by David Flores Feb 7, 2008 11:15 AM Report Abuse

Mannie and Cindy--I'm glad you played! In my line of work, I could even consider it professional development.

That is, if I can play without cheating (I always have dictionary.com open and it's so tempting!) I cheated once and suddenly all the words got so hard I didn't do it again! Even 200 grains makes a huge difference to people who have to fight for five. World hunger has always been a cause very close to my heart, since I was surrounded by it for a decade and the experience pretty much scarred me for life. So, thanks for playing!

Megan, I should've guessed you'd have known about this site for ages! So, do you feel smarter yet?

I keep telling myself that this will be my daily Fight Alzheimer's Regimen.

I'm proud of you girl! You've used your powers for good.

My Superhero name should be Word Girl. :-D

Or maybe something cooler. Thanks for playing, Sis! Pass it on! A lot of schools have taken this up, so maybe Boy has already heard of it.

Posted by Famin

Feb 7, 2008 11:15 AM

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Famin that's such an awesome website, thanks for the link. I got up to just over 5000 this time but I'll keep doing it when I have time. What a great thing and it helps people at the same time as it helps me.
Posted by Mollymac Feb 7, 2008 11:27 AM Report Abuse

I quit when I got to 1000. That evil other M&M had to outdo me!
Posted by Mannie_Annie Feb 7, 2008 11:35 AM Report Abuse

Evil? Who are you calling evil?">
Posted by Mollymac Feb 7, 2008 11:36 AM Report Abuse

Hmmm. I don't know. I must have been talking about Megan!
Posted by Mannie_Annie Feb 7, 2008 11:41 AM Report Abuse

LOL. That's what I thought!
Posted by Mollymac Feb 7, 2008 11:46 AM Report Abuse

Or maybe something cooler. Thanks for playing, Sis! Pass it on! A lot of schools have taken this up, so maybe Boy has already heard of it.

If he hasn't he will now!! When he starts whining, I'll tell him to blame his Auntie Baby-girl! :-p

I quit when I got to 1000. That evil other M&M had to outdo me!

Evil? Who are you calling evil?

Hmmm. I don't know. I must have been talking about Megan

*sitting back in chair munching popcorn and sipping rootbeer.*

Megan, you want some of this?

Posted by RevVee - owner of the LPP!

Feb 7, 2008 11:53 AM

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Megan, you want some of this? Move over Sis, this is getting good. Maybe we should suggest a rematch! They both donated more than me! Hi David! Glad you enjoyed it. Now you can thrill and impress your coworkers with all the SAT words you've learned.
Posted by Famin Feb 7, 2008 12:01 PM Report Abuse