A Special Listener Joins the NPR Puzzle

NPR host Ayesha Rascoe played a puzzle game on the radio with Will Shortz, the Weekend Edition Puzzlemaster. They were joined by Jordan Bogdan, a WUOT listener from Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The three of them worked together on the word game during the broadcast.
On a recent broadcast of NPR, host Ayesha Rascoe played a fun puzzle game. She worked together with Will Shortz during the segment. Will Shortz is well-known as the Weekend Edition Puzzlemaster. He brings creative challenges to the air every week. A guest listener also joined the show to solve the puzzle with them.
The listener who played this week was Jordan Bogdan. She came on the radio broadcast from Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Jordan Bogdan usually listens to the radio station WUOT in her area. She tested her skills live on the air with Ayesha Rascoe and Will Shortz. The team worked through the word challenges together in a friendly atmosphere.
Playing games on public radio is a long tradition for Weekend Edition. Listeners from across the country love to tune in each Sunday. They enjoy hearing regular citizens tackle tough clues alongside the host. Jordan Bogdan did a great job representing her home station, WUOT. Her participation brought local pride to Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
This weekly segment gives everyday people a chance to shine. Participating in a national broadcast can be exciting for a listener. Will Shortz continues to create entertaining games for everyone. Audiences look forward to hearing who will play the puzzle next week.
Take a position. Out loud, if you can.
Four ways to start. Pick one and try saying it before you scroll on.
Tip · Record yourself, use in a notebook, or practice with a language partner.
Which radio station does Jordan Bogdan tune in to?
Past Simple Tense
Used to describe completed actions that happened at a specific time in the past.
“A guest listener also joined the show to solve the puzzle with them.”
What to know · A2
Try saying this aloud
Scenario: Talking about an interesting segment you heard on a radio show.
- 01“She worked together with Will Shortz.”
- 02“A guest listener also joined the show.”
- 03“The team worked through the word challenges.”
Register tip · informal
🔑Key Phrases
Refers to a specific local station mentioned in the news item.
She listens to the radio station WUOT.
Describes active participation in an entertainment activity.
We played a fun puzzle game yesterday.
Used when a guest comes onto a program.
A famous guest joined the show today.
💬Discussion Questions
Open-ended questions to talk or write about — alone, with a partner, or in class.
- 1
How often do you listen to radio broadcasts or podcasts?
Personal - 2
Why do public radio stations invite listeners to play games?
Opinion - 3
How do live radio games compare to television game shows?
Compare - 4
What would you do if you were invited to speak on a live show?
Personal - 5
Why is local community support important for public radio stations?
Evaluate - 6
Do you think puzzle games will stay popular on radio shows?
Predict - 7
What is your favorite type of word game or puzzle?
Personal - 8
Should radio hosts include more games with audience members?
Opinion
News sourced from: NPR Arts & Life →. LectoPress rewrites the facts as original graded-reader text for language learners.
Get stories at your level, every day
A2 · EN · delivered to your inbox · unsubscribe any time
Customize language, level & topics → full preferences


