Automatic crossword puzzle maker

Here is a site that will arrange your words and the clues you provide. You can do it on-line, free, and print the result, or buy a program.

Here is what it made of the last few words in the GCSE Latin vocab list:

Don’t Lightly Dismiss The Study Of Latin Language

From Tricities.com

By Letters To The Editor

Published: June 1, 2008

I am writing in response to the May 26 letter by James Cannon, “Not the
Best Language to Learn.” The case that Cannon presents against the
study of the Latin language is riddled with rhetorical fallacies,
contains outdated statistics, and lacks the necessary evidence for a
valid argument. Cannon argues that Latin will not help students learn
other Romance languages, will not help with admission into collegiate
and graduate programs, will not increase SAT or ACT scores, and that
the National Latin Exam was created to “win the support of the ignorant
and gullible.”

Contrary to Cannon’s belief, Latin does, in fact, give students a
solid foundation for learning other Romance languages in both grammar
and vocabulary. According to the National Committee for Latin and
Greek, Latin allows students to derive meaning from approximately 80
percent of vocabulary in Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese and
Romanian.

Cannon’s assertion that Latin will not help students be admitted
into collegiate and graduate programs is also false. Gonzaga University
Dean of Admissions Philip Ballinger stated, “We add extra ‘weight’ when
we see Latin on a transcript.” Likewise, Princeton University Director
of Admissions Steve LeMenager admits, “We value the study of Latin very
highly.”

In addition, Latin gives students an edge on the SAT or ACT. For
example, in 2007, the average verbal score was 502 for all students,
574 for Spanish students, 632 for German students, 637 for French
students and 678 for Latin students. A full 176 points ahead of the
average student!

Cannon’s statement that the National Latin Exam was created to
“win the support of the ignorant and gullible” is preposterous. The
purpose of the National Latin Exam is to give students a sense of
accomplishment for their study of the Latin language and culture. This
year, 135,000 students took the National Latin Exam in 12 different
countries, and 21 students received a $1,000 scholarship for their
exceptional performance on the exam. This hardly seems like a move to
simply “win the support of the ignorant and gullible.”

Perhaps Cannon should analyze the facts more carefully before harshly dismissing the study of Latin again.

Courtney Bailey

Bristol, Tenn.