Greece: How to Spot What Will Be on the Test

July 12, 2015
Wall Street Journal: Treasury Secretary Encouraged by Reports on Greek Talks

WASHINGTON—U.S. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew on Sunday said Greece had made substantial movement and demonstrated the political will needed to implement tough economic overhauls demanded by creditors, but called for more flexibility from Athens and its creditors as emergency talks failed to seal critical financing.

That looks like something that could be on the test. Let's look for confirmation.

“He noted that Greece has made substantial movement and demonstrated the political will to implement difficult reforms and that continued flexibility will be required by all parties,” Treasury said.

Oh, yes! This is definitely going to be on the test. I better use my red fluorescent highlight marker on both passages and reread them both a few more times just to lock them in.

As a side note, it's always nice to have two versions of the story. One is the direct quote and the other uses some journalistic artistry. Had made? Has made? Tough economic overhauls demanded by creditors? Difficult reforms? Athens and its creditors? All parties? Who can really say which version is better? As every college professor knows, best to just throw them both at us and hope one sticks.

The Treasury Department didn’t elaborate on exactly what Mr. Lew was encouraged by or how Athens had shown political will.

That's got no chance of being on the test. You can safely ignore it. Nobody has a f%^king clue what Lew's actually encouraged by or how Greece has shown political will, lol. Sigh.