ErinBrockovichAnEnvironmentalActivist-1

1. Erin Brockovich Erin Brockovich is an American environmental activist and a key player in the court case against Pacific Gas and Electric Company. In 1993, she discovered the drinking water in Hinkley, California had become contaminated and was causing people in the area to get sick. Erin Brockovich is not a lawyer. She is not a politician. In fact, Erin Brockovich grew up receiving special education services in school and was labeled as dyslexic. It was not until middle school when one of her teachers modified her assignments and allowed her to take tests orally that she began to believe in herself as a student. She has a history of working hard and dedicating herself to helping others. Erin Brockovich was a mom of three young kids when she began working as a clerk for the Masry and Vitote law firm in 1992. This is where she stumbled upon research of possible contaminated drinking water in Hinkley. The company to blame had been discharging wastewater containing a toxic chemical to nearby ponds which leaked into the groundwater and eventually the communities drinking water. Erin Brockovich and her team went door to door in Hinkley and rallied over 600 residents to file the lawsuit against PG&E. After years of hard work, the case settled in 1996 with a compensation of $333 million awarded to the people of Hinkley. Erin Brockovich continues to advocate for clean drinking water for all citizens. Over the years, she has helped many communities fight large corporations concerned about toxics in their towns. Her story is an inspiration to many and has been featured in movies, television shows, and books. She is a changemaker and empowers others to speak up and demand action.

2. Where did Erin Brockovich find toxic water? _____________________________________________________________________________________ How did the drinking water become toxic? _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ What challenges did she face as a young student? _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ How did she overcome these challenges? _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ What character traits do you think Erin Brockovich has that helped her to be successful in her fight against big corporations? _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ What does it mean to be a “change-maker”? ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ What is something you would like to see changed in your community? As a citizen and community advocate, what is something you can do to help? _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ If you could ask Erin Brockovich one questions, what would you ask? _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________

3. Vocabulary Activist - a person who fights openly and vigorously for a cause. Contaminate - to make dirty, polluted, or not usable by touching or by adding something to. Label – a term or phrase used to describe a person or thing. Modify - to change in some way; alter. Dedicate - to devote to a particular person, cause, or course of action. Stumble - to discover, reach, or come across by chance Discharge - to unload, empty, or release. Toxic - having to do with or made of a poison; poisonous. Rally - to call together for some common goal; assemble. Resident - a person who lives in a particular place. Compensate - to pay or repay. Advocate - to speak or act in favor of. Citizen - a person who lives in and has the rights given by a country, town, or city. Corporation - a business or group of people allowed by law to do certain things as if they were one person. Inspiration - a person or thing that motivates, uplifts, or gives one the confidence to do something; someone or something that inspires. Empower - make someone stronger and more confident, especially in controlling their life and claiming their rights.

4. Context Clues Many of the ___________in our apartment building are moving out. Her father had been a musician too, and he had been a great ________to her as a child. Amazon is a large ___________that sells goods online. My teachers gave him the ________ _ “bookworm" because he reads a lot. She has ______________her life to helping others. I _______ __________upon a letter from my first boyfriend. I will _____________the person who helped me with money or a gift. He will _________buying fruits and vegetables grown only on local farms. The factory spilled ___________ waste into the lake. _______________led the fight for safer conditions in the factories. The politician will ____________ his supporters and ask for their vote. They ___________the language of the play so that the younger children could understand it. (change) As a ____________ of the town, I can vote in the election. The speaker was able to __________ others to act against pollution. Chemicals from factories can _____________ the town's water supply. The factory caused a __________ of smoke into the air.

5. Context Clues with Synonyms Provided Many of the ___________in our apartment building are moving out. (townsperson) Her father had been a musician too, and he had been a great ________to her as a child. (influence) Amazon is a large ___________that sells goods online. (business) My teachers gave him the ________ _ “bookworm" because he reads a lot. (name) She has ______________her life to helping others. (devoted) I _______ __________upon a letter from my first boyfriend. (found) I will _____________the person who helped me with money or a gift. (pay/award) He will _________buying fruits and vegetables grown only on local farms. (support) The factory spilled ___________ waste into the lake. (poison) _______________led the fight for safer conditions in the factories. (demonstrators) The politician will ____________ his supporters and ask for their vote. (unite) They ___________the language of the play so that the younger children could understand it. (change) As a ____________of the town, I can vote in the election. (member of community) The speaker was able to __________ others to act against pollution. (influence) Chemicals from factories can ______________ the town's water supply. (pollute) The factory caused a ___________ of smoke into the air. (released)

6. Context Clues Answer Key Many of the residents in our apartment building are moving out. Her father had been a musician too, and he had been a great inspiration to her as a child. Amazon is a large corporation that sells goods online. My teachers gave him the label "bookworm" because he reads a lot. She has dedicated her life to helping others. I stumbled upon a letter from my first boyfriend. I will compensate the person who helped me with money or a gift. He will advocate buying fruits and vegetables grown only on local farms. The factory spilled toxic waste into the lake. Activists led the fight for safer working conditions in the factories. The politician will rally his supporters and ask for their vote. They modified the language of the play so that the younger children could understand it. As a citizen of the town, I can vote in the election for the office of mayor. The speaker was able to empower others to act against pollution in their town. Chemicals from factories can contaminate the town's water supply. The factory discharged smoke into the air.