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Is it normal to forget words while speaking? And when can it spell a problem?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/greig-de-zubicaray-1468234">Greig de Zubicaray</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/queensland-university-of-technology-847">Queensland University of Technology</a> We’ve all experienced that moment mid-sentence when we just can’t find the word we want to use, even though we’re certain we know it. Why does this universal problem among speakers happen? And when can word-finding difficulties indicate something serious? Everyone will experience an occasional word-finding difficulty, but if they happen very often with a broad range of words, names and numbers, this could be a sign of a neurological disorder. <h2>The steps involved in speaking</h2> Producing spoken words involves several <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190672027.013.19">stages of processing</a>. These include: <ol> <li> identifying the intended meaning </li> <li> selecting the right word from the “mental lexicon” (a mental dictionary of the speaker’s vocabulary) </li> <li> retrieving its sound pattern (called its “form”) </li> <li> executing the movements of the speech organs for articulating it. </li> </ol> Word-finding difficulties can potentially arise at each of these stages of processing. When a healthy speaker can’t retrieve a word from their lexicon despite the feeling of knowing it, this is called a “tip-of-the-tongue” phenomenon by language scientists. Often, the frustrated speaker will try to give a bit of information about their intended word’s meaning, “you know, that thing you hit a nail with”, or its spelling, “it starts with an H!”. Tip-of-the-tongue states are relatively common and are a type of speech error that occurs primarily during retrieval of the sound pattern of a word (step three above). <h2>What can affect word finding?</h2> Word-finding difficulties occur at all ages but they do happen more often as we get older. In older adults, they can cause frustration and anxiety about the possibility of developing dementia. But they’re not always a cause for concern. One way researchers investigate word-finding difficulties is to ask people to keep a diary to record how often and in what context they occur. <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01190/full">Diary studies</a> have shown that some word types, such as names of people and places, concrete nouns (things, such as “dog” or “building”) and abstract nouns (concepts, such as “beauty” or “truth”), are more likely to result in tip-of-the-tongue states compared with verbs and adjectives. Less frequently used words are also more likely to result in tip-of-the-tongue states. It’s thought this is because they have weaker connections between their meanings and their sound patterns than more frequently used words. Laboratory studies have also shown tip-of-the-tongue states are more likely to occur under <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13825585.2019.1641177">socially stressful</a> conditions when speakers are told they are being evaluated, regardless of their age. Many people report having experienced tip-of-the-tongue problems during job interviews. <h2>When could it spell more serious issues?</h2> More frequent failures with a broader range of words, names and numbers are likely to indicate more serious issues. When this happens, language scientists use the terms “anomia” or “<a href="https://www.aphasia.com/aphasia-library/aphasia-types/anomic-aphasia/">anomic aphasia</a>” to describe the condition, which can be associated with brain damage due to stroke, tumours, head injury or dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease. Recently, the actor Bruce Willis’s family <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2023/02/16/health/frontotemporal-dementia-definition-symptoms-wellness/index.html">revealed</a> he has been diagnosed with a degenerative disorder known as primary progressive aphasia, for which one of the earliest symptoms is word-finding difficulties rather than memory loss. Primary progressive aphasia is typically associated with frontotemporal or Alzheimer’s dementias, although it can be associated with other <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3637977/">pathologies</a>. Anomic aphasia can arise due to problems occurring at different stages of speech production. An assessment by a clinical neuropsychologist or speech pathologist can help clarify which processing stage is affected and how serious the problem might be. For example, if a person is unable to name a picture of a common object such as a hammer, a clinical neuropsychologist or speech pathologist will ask them to describe what the object is used for (the individual might then say “it’s something you hit things with” or “it’s a tool”). If they can’t, they will be asked to gesture or mime how it’s used. They might also be provided with a cue or prompt, such as the first letter (h) or syllable (ham). Most people with anomic aphasia benefit greatly from being prompted, indicating they are mostly experiencing problems with later stages of retrieving word forms and motor aspects of speech. But if they’re unable to describe or mime the object’s use, and cueing does not help, this is likely to indicate an actual loss of word knowledge or meaning. This is typically a sign of a more serious issue such as primary progressive aphasia. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuroimaging">Imaging studies</a> in healthy adults and people with anomic aphasia have shown different areas of the brain are responsible for their word-finding difficulties. In <a href="https://direct.mit.edu/jocn/article-abstract/35/1/111/113588/Neural-Correlates-of-Naturally-Occurring-Speech">healthy adults</a>, occasional failures to name a picture of a common object are linked with changes in activity in brain regions that control motor aspects of speech, suggesting a spontaneous problem with articulation rather than a loss of word knowledge. In anomia due to primary progressive aphasia, brain regions that process word meanings show a loss of nerve cells and connections or <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0148707">atrophy</a>. Although anomic aphasia is common after strokes to the left hemisphere of the brain, the associated word-finding difficulties do not appear to be distinguishable by <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0010945215003299">specific areas</a>. There are <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02687030244000563">treatments</a> available for anomic aphasia. These will often involve speech pathologists training the individual on naming tasks using different kinds of cues or prompts to help retrieve words. The cues can be various meaningful features of objects and ideas, or sound features of words, or a combination of both. <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S002199241730014X">Smart tablet</a> and phone apps also show promise when used to complement therapy with home-based practice. The type of cue used for treatment is determined by the nature of the person’s impairment. Successful treatment is associated with changes in activity in <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0093934X14000054">brain regions</a> known to support speech production. Unfortunately, there is no effective treatment for primary progressive aphasia, although <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13607863.2019.1617246">some studies</a> have suggested speech therapy can produce temporary benefits. If you’re concerned about your word-finding difficulties or those of a loved one, you can consult your GP for a referral to a clinical neuropsychologist or a speech pathologist. <img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/212852/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/greig-de-zubicaray-1468234">Greig de Zubicaray</a>, Professor of Neuropsychology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/queensland-university-of-technology-847">Queensland University of Technology</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/is-it-normal-to-forget-words-while-speaking-and-when-can-it-spell-a-problem-212852">original article</a>.

Mind

This new tech could spell end for mouse plagues

Invasive mice populations could be a thing of the past, thanks to a new genetic tool developed by a team of Australian scientists. Researchers at the University of Adelaide have developed t-CRISPR, which uses gene editing technology to alter the fertility gene in laboratory mice to make females infertile. “This is the first time that a new genetic tool has been identified to suppress invasive mouse populations by inducing female infertility,” said lead researcher Professor Paul Thomas. “The t-CRISPR approach uses cutting-edge DNA editing technology to make alterations to a female fertility gene. Once the population is saturated with the genetic modification, all the females that are generated will be infertile. “We are also developing new versions of t-CRISPR technology that are designed to target specific pest populations to prevent unwanted spread of the gene drive.” The new tool is based on an existing technology, CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, which has largely been applied to limiting the spread of malaria by making male mosquitoes infertile. CRISPR 101 Since it was unveiled in 2012, the CRISPR method has been used to edit pieces of DNA inside the cells of organisms, primarily insects. “Up until now, this technology has been aimed at insects to try and limit the spread of malaria, which causes up to 500,000 deaths worldwide per year,” Luke Gierus, a post-graduate student and the paper’s co-first author, said. The technology relies on the Cas9 protein found in bacteria, which scientists can program to find and bind to almost any 20-letter sequence of DNA in a gene with the help of a piece of RNA that matches the target DNA sequence. When it finds the target, standard CRISPR cuts the DNA, and the process of repairing the DNA introduces mutations that can disable the gene. Other variations of CRISPR can also replace faulty genes, turn genes on or off, or change one letter of the DNA code to another. In this study, the team simulated what would happen when an edited version of a fertility gene on chromosome 17, which affects the ability of sperm to swim, was introduced to populations of mice. Males who carry one copy of this gene are infertile, while females are still fertile but only have one functioning version of the gene and can pass on either the functioning or non-functioning version to their offspring. In females that had a second edited chromosome that affected their fertility, they found that male offspring would all be infertile, while only 50 percent of female offspring would be fertile. They found that 250 mice with modified genes could eradicate a population of 200,000 mice on an island in around 20 years. “The use of t-CRISPR technology provides a humane approach to controlling invasive mice without the release of toxins into the environment. We are also working on strategies to prevent failed eradication due to the emergence of gene drive resistance in the target population,” Gierus said. While t-CRISPR has been developed to specifically target mice, CSIRO Group Leader for Environmental Mitigation and Resilience Dr Owain Edwards said it could be developed to use on other invasive animals. The researchers, who collaborated with CSIRO, the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions, the Genetic Biocontrol for Invasive Rodents (GBIRd) consortium and the US Department of Agriculture, were supported by both the South Australian and NSW governments. “These promising findings demonstrate how gene drive technology may be a game changer in managing the impacts of mice on our environment, community, and agricultural sector,” South Australian Deputy Premier Dr Susan Close said. “This cutting-edge research also highlights the global leadership of the South Australian research sector, in finding solutions to social, environmental and economic challenges. “The South Australian Government is proud to have supported this proof-of-concept, having granted the University of Adelaide $1 million through the Research and Innovation Fund.” They published their findings in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2213308119" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>. Image: ABC News

Family & Pets

New poll spells trouble for Prince Harry and Meghan

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are preparing to celebrate their third wedding anniversary as a poll has revealed more than four in 10 people think they should lose their titles. Harry and Meghan tied the knot during an extravagant ceremony on May 19, 2018, and are most likely to celebrate the milestone privately at their Californian home. The wedding was the beginning of a new chapter for the monarchy as it was welcoming a person of mixed race into the family for the first time in centuries. But 18 months later, the Sussexes moved to North America with their son Archie and have never permanently returned to their UK home. A UK poll carried out on Monday found 44 per cent of 4567 adults questioned thought the couple should no longer have the title of Duke and Duchess. While 20 per cent believed they should keep their titles but not use them, 17 per cent said they should not lose their titles or stop using them ad 20 per cent did not know. The past few months have been a tumultuous time for the couple after their bombshell TV interview with Oprah Winfrey. The pair let all their grievances out and came clean on what it was really like to be a part of the royal family. A few days after their wedding anniversary Harry and Meghan, who is expecting a daughter in the summer, will appear in the first episode of the duke's mental health documentary series with Oprah Winfrey.

Relationships

Massive spelling slip-up! Trinny Woodall drops C-bomb on The Sunday Project

Triny Woodall left Australia's The Sunday Project panel in shock after dropping the C-bomb on-air. The style queen appeared on the Channel 10 show alongside hosts Lisa Wilkinson, Tommy Little, Susie Youssef and Peter Van Onselen. It was during the live episode when Woodall made a grave mistake and accidentally spelt out the “c-bomb” on air. Speaking of her former What Not to Wear co-host Susannah Constantine, the English celebrity said the pair were still great friends who always “call each other rude names — like c-u-*-* …”. The hosts sat speechless and Woodall also appeared to be mortified, going on to explain that she meant to leave out a few letters. The video was not made immediately available on 10Play as it usually is, and still remained unavailable on early Monday morning. Video of Woodall’s segment was posted to The Project’s Facebook page — with the offensive moment being cut out. <div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=448807716019558" data-width="500" data-show-text="true"> <blockquote class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"> The fabulous Trinny reveals the hilarious reason she can't tell if Aussies are friendly or tipsy, the makeup message she wants people to hear, and the current state of her friendship with Susannah. Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheProjectTV/">The Project</a> on <a href="https://developers.facebook.com/TheProjectTV/videos/448807716019558/">Sunday, October 20, 2019</a></blockquote> </div> It’s not the first time Woodall has sparked controversy, after she told Stellar magazine she “didn’t know” her partner had been photographed holding his ex Nigella Lawson by the throat when they met. The 55-year-old makeup and fashion maven has been linked to billionaire art dealer Charles Saatchi — the ex-husband of worldwide famous chef Nigella Lawson — for almost six years. Woodall claims she didn’t know about the incident even though the photograph made headlines around the world. “Really weirdly, I still didn’t know any of that sh*t,” she told Stellar. She said she had only asked a mutual friend one question about Saatchi: whether he was “kind”. “I would ask that of anyone,” Woodall said. “I realised in my 50s I wanted a kind heart.”

Can you pass this quiz of 4th grade spelling words?

Spelling can be tricky, even more so when you've realised it's been years since you've been tested on your ability to spell. No peeking at a dictionary or Google for this quiz of primary school level, but surprisingly tricky, words. Some of them are harder than you think, with some words sounding like others or spelt similarly. Scroll through the gallery for the questions and answers. Good luck! <div id="page29" class="slide-show"> <div id="test" class="slide"> <div class="slide-description"> Written by Meghan Jones. This article first appeared in <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/true-stories-lifestyle/thought-provoking/can-you-pass-quiz-4th-grade-spelling-words">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.co.nz/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=RDSUB&keycode=WRN93V">here’s our best subscription offer</a>. </div> </div> </div>

Mind

Bill Gates gets candid about rival Steve Jobs: He “cast spells on people”

According to Microsoft founder Bill Gates, his rival Apple CEO Steve Jobs “cast spells on people” to keep Apple profitable during the dark days of the company. Both men are known for creating an intense workplace culture and being tough leaders. Gates realised that Jobs’ leadership style was a good example of “don’t do this at home”. Gates spoke to <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2019/07/08/tech/bill-gates-on-steve-jobs/index.html">Fareed Zakaria from CNN</a> about his relationship with Jobs. "I have yet to meet any person who in terms of picking talent, hyper-motivating that talent and having a sense of design, of 'this is good, this is not good.' So he brought some incredibly positive things along with that toughness." Gates reflected on Jobs and the way he “cast spells on people”. "Steve is really a singular case where the company was on a path to die and it goes and becomes the most valuable company in the world with some products that are really quite amazing. There aren't going to be many stories like that." Gates also admitted that his intense workplace culture went “too far”, especially in the early days of the company. "We had, to some degree, a self-selected set of people who were mostly males, I'll admit, and yes, we were pretty tough on each other," Gates said. "We counted on each other to work very long hours and I always wanted to set the best example of that. I think that intensity, even though a little bit it went too far, was great for my 20s, 30s, 40s."

Technology

This tricky quiz will test you: Can you pick the correct spelling?

A new quiz that tests your spelling has left many adults stumped, with only 6 out of 100 college students acing every question. The creator of the test, which was posted to Playbuzz, says only players with an above-average IQ will be able to score full marks. So, just how good is your spelling? Take the 15-question test below to find out. <div class="playbuzz" data-id="3b752634-f477-44d5-8107-54590b4201e3" data-show-share="false" data-show-info="false"></div> How did you score? Let us know in the comments below.

Mind

Under the spell of The Ghan

Justine Tyerman boards The Ghan, the famous transcontinental train, from Darwin to Adelaide. Here is the first of a four-part series about her journey. The sleek silver Ghan, with the twin bright red diesel-electric locomotives throbbing at her prow, was a magnificent sight at Darwin’s Berrimah Railway Station as coaches and taxis arrived with 285 excited passengers ready to embark on our great train adventure from Darwin to Adelaide. We were about to travel through the ‘Red Centre’ of Australia, a 2979km journey spread over four days and three nights. The sheer size, length and spectacle of the 903m, 38-carriage, 1700 tonne train set my heart pounding. I instantly fell under the spell of this iconic train originally named the Afghan Express after the 19th century Afghan cameleers who helped blaze a trail through the country’s remote interior. Although construction began in 1878, it wasn't until 2004 that the last section of the railway track from Alice Springs to Darwin was finally completed. The locomotives and the carriages all proudly bear the emblem of an Afghan riding a camel. My Gold Service cabin with ensuite bathroom was mid-ships so the walk with my small wheelie case was manageable in the tropical heat but those at the extremities of the train were shuttled in style. <img style="width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7821396/image_.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/7c7198d49e814601b592acf4840077e3" /> My ensuite bathroom with lovely Appelles bath and body products. My hospitality attendant Aaron greeted me with a beaming smile and soon after appeared in my cabin to chat about what excursions I wanted to do during the days ahead. “All of them,” I said, unable to choose from the fabulous selection available each day. Having done the excursions, Aaron helped me come to a decision in no time. Train manager Bruce then welcomed us all aboard via the in-cabin radio which also broadcast an excellent commentary and a series of stories about the places, events and people along the route. Restaurant manager Nick popped by to discuss my preferred dining times in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant. The cuisine on The Ghan and her sister The Indian Pacific, a trip I completed in June, is as legendary as the history of these great train journeys. Not to mention the beverages … A glass of champagne mysteriously found its way into my hand as the massive train slid so smoothly from the station, I was only aware we were moving by watching the people waving on the platform slowly disappear from view. A toast to The Ghan seemed a fitting way to celebrate the departure of such a majestic train on another epic journey across the continent. The Ghan has a presence, history and grandeur like no other and to be finally embarking on the trip sent bubbles of excitement through my veins. They matched the effervescence in my glass. <img style="width: 333.3333333333333px; height: 500px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7821395/image_.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/bfe4305a9cd6419fa6045699e220b978" /> A toast to The Ghan seems a fitting way to celebrate the departure of such a majestic train on our epic journey across the continent. “This is the life,” I thought as I settled into my super-comfortable cabin and watched the Northern Territory countryside flicker by. Tall termite mounds like cylindrical chimneys scattered the bushy terrain which had been recently scorched in a controlled burn-off. The ant-like insects build amazingly clever dwellings for themselves with a central vent for air-conditioning. They devour an enormous quality of matter and return all the nutrients to the earth. The structures are aligned north-south to catch the sun. You learn all sorts of fascinating things by listening to the commentary on The Ghan. Soon after, we crossed the broad Elizabeth River and it was lunchtime. I dined in the ornate Queen Adelaide Restaurant on tropical chicken salad with fresh mango, flat beans, red onion, bamboo shoots, macadamia, lotus root, coriander and mesclun with lime pepper dressing, followed by a divine mango parfait with wild berry salsa. White tablecloths, fine china, waiters, wine … and that was just a light lunch. Travelling solo, Nick seated me with a variety of different people at every meal. On this occasion I lunched with three highly-entertaining Australian widows, one of whom knew a family from my hometown of Gisborne, New Zealand. Such a coincidence. As we chatted, we travelled through sparsely-vegetated hilly terrain cut by dry river beds, and rocky outcrops as though it had rained massive boulders. Unlike the Indian Pacific where there were hours of on-train time to daydream and relax, the daily excursions on The Ghan Expedition took up the bulk of the daytime hours. Early afternoon, we arrived at the Northern Territory town of Katherine to be met by coaches waiting to take us on a variety of excursions. Following Aaron’s advice, I chose a cruise and hike in two of the 13 gorges on the Katherine River in the 292,000-hectare Nitmiluk National Park. We boarded barges and cruised slowly up a spectacular steep-sided, rocky sandstone gorge carved by the Katherine River over millions of years. The commentary of our skipper-guide Sam added wonderful layers of meaning and history to the experience. Nitmiluk means ‘cicada country’ to the indigenous Jawoyn people, she said. <img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="/nothing.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/9a899824b5844b6381ffc5b4cb074710" /><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7821397/image_.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/9a899824b5844b6381ffc5b4cb074710" /> Cruising the Katherine River in the spectacular Nitmiluk Gorge. “Listen and you’ll hear the buzzing sound, especially in the evening,” Sam explained. She also pointed out huge gashes in the rocks on both sides of the river indicating fault lines, and trees like the paperbark with uses such as cooking foil and the larruk with anti-inflammatory and insect repellent properties. The white sandy beaches alongside the river looked like idyllic spots for picnics and swims until Sam drew our attention to the signs: “Crocodile nesting area – do not enter.” They’re mainly freshwater crocs here, not the monster ‘salties’ I’d seen in Darwin, but you still wouldn’t want to get anywhere near them. Thereafter I imagined I saw many crocodiles submerged in the river, but they were “probably rockodiles” according to Sam. The kayakers we passed on the river must have been incredibly brave or foolhardy – I couldn’t decide which. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7821398/image_.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/050daa96945643b9a174632cd393abda" /> Kayakers on the Katherine River near a croc nesting beach. Turning my attention upwards while keeping my arms well clear of the water, I was transfixed by the staggering height of the sheer cliffs on either side of our barge, reaching 60 to 100m high, depending on the depth of the river. The Katherine rises up to 9-10 metres during times of flood – the extreme sideways lean of the trees are an indication of the strength of the current. Today the river was so low we had to hike between the two gorges, boarding another barge on the other side. Between the gorges, Sam pointed out aboriginal paintings etched in the rock walls high above us, still intact after thousands of years. Some indigenous art in the region dates back 40,000 years, the oldest known art forms on the planet. <img style="width: 333.3333333333333px; height: 500px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7821399/image_.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/65609f519a0f409b9cdcff88e5259132" /> Aboriginal paintings etched in the rock walls are still intact after thousands of years. As we neared a deep pool in the upper reaches of the second gorge, Sam told us a Dreamtime story of the Jawoyn people. “According to legend, Bolung, the rainbow serpent, carved the gorge in his own image then laid to rest in the 40m deep pool right below us. “There’s a whirlpool here and Jawoyn people won’t swim, fish or drink water from the pool for fear of a flood or other calamity. “The serpent is one of few common threads in aboriginal culture. Indigenous people in the Flinders Ranges area have a similar story.” Sam also explained the kinship system of the aboriginal people whereby a skin name is handed down by your mother meaning those of the same name cannot marry. The penalties for breaking the rules are severe – a spear to the back of the legs. We passed by an impressive towering rock known as Jedda Rock after the 1955 Australian-made movie of the same name, the first feature film to star aboriginal actors. The rocks in the Katherine Gorge are around 1.6 billion years old, Sam explained. As we neared the end of the cruise, I spotted a large cage on the water’s edge. “It’s a croc trap,” said Sam just in case we had forgotten we were in crocodile country. Jay, a cheery Jawoyn lad with a huge smile shouted “Boh boh” to us as he tethered the barge to the jetty and we disembarked. The Jawoyn don’t say “Goodbye”, they say “Boh boh – See ya later”. A huge plume of smoke threatened to obliterate the sunset as we bused back to the train. A controlled burn was taking place somewhere in the distance, turning the sun into a fiery red ball in the western sky. Later, as I emerged wet and drippy from the shower, I discovered we were actually travelling right through the fire, hot and red and fiery with flames leaping up trees and lots of smoke. It was really dramatic. Travelling through an Aussie bush fire, courtesy of The Ghan. That evening, I just had to try the crocodile sausage entrée with a lemon aspen sauce on the dinner menu. Having been warned by my Aussie mates that croc was bland, I found it surprisingly tasty. Sticking with exotic, I had an excellent chickpea saffron dahl served with pickled okra and basmati rice as a main course, and yummy ginger and macadamia nut pudding with caramel sauce and coconut ice-cream for dessert. As I snuggled into my comfy bed beautifully-made by Aaron with crisp white linen in the air-conditioned comfort of my cosy cabin, I looked back over the photos I’d taken that day. The grandeur of the Katherine Gorge was quite overwhelming. The deeply-furrowed, weathered old faces of the rocks towering above the river gave me a powerful sense of the ancientness and dignity of the land. Truly one of the Australia’s most stunning natural wonders. FACTBOX: * The Ghan Expedition is a 2979km four-day, three-night train journey through the ‘Red Centre’ of Australia from Darwin to Adelaide or vice versa *Justine travelled courtesy of international rail specialists Rail Plus and Great Southern Rail. * Visit <a href="https://www.railplus.co.nz/australia-by-rail/australias-great-train-journeys/the-ghan-expedition/ghan-expedition-prices-book.htm">https://www.railplus.co.nz/australia-by-rail/australias-great-train-journeys/the-ghan-expedition/ghan-expedition-prices-book.htm</a> for more information on The Ghan and <a href="https://www.railplus.co.nz/great-train-journeys/">https://www.railplus.co.nz/great-train-journeys/</a> for other epic train adventures around the world. *A veteran of many rail journeys organised through Rail Plus, I’ve also travelled on the Indian Pacific (see my series of <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/domestic-travel/what-it-s-like-travelling-across-australia-on-board-the-indian-pacific">four stories</a>); and the <a href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/domestic-travel/a-day-on-the-tranzalpine">TranzAlpine</a>. *Rail Plus has a dedicated team of experts to advise you on Great Train Journeys all around the world including The Deccan Odyssey between Mumbai and New Delhi in India <a href="https://www.railplus.co.nz/great-train-journeys/deccan-odyssey/prices-info.htm">https://www.railplus.co.nz/great-train-journeys/deccan-odyssey/prices-info.htm</a> another epic journey I'm dreaming of doing some day. The eight-day, seven-night journey recaptures the pomp and pageantry of India's royal past visiting beaches, sea forts and world heritage cave frescoes of Western India and the Deccan plateau including the city of Goa.

International Travel

Can you score full marks on this spelling quiz?

A new online spelling quiz is putting player’s knowledge to the test, claiming it is so difficult that no one will score full marks. The test, posted to Playbuzz, asks players to select the correct spelling of nine common words. The incorrect words only have just one or two letters out of place, so the quiz might make you stop and think. See how well you can score on this multiple-choice quiz. <div class="playbuzz" data-id="d1dcedcd-cf7a-4225-9bf0-7af0159d7305" data-show-info="false" data-comments="false" data-show-share="false"></div> How did you score? Let us know in the comments below.

Mind

Can you pass this difficult spelling test on common misspelt words?

Most people would like to think they are a spelling whiz, but a new quiz puts even the brightest brains to the test. Rather than testing people on long words that no one has heard of before, it tests the common words that are most often misspelt. The test, posted on Playbuzz, labels itself as “The Most Tricky Spelling Drill Ever” as it challenges players to score at least 20 out of 30 questions. Do you think you can pass the test with top marks? <div class="playbuzz" data-id="dc7bacb5-d8da-4025-bab9-c4fe1b2fcc0f" data-show-info="false" data-comments="false" data-show-share="false"></div> How did you score? Let us know in the comments below.

Mind

Can you pass this high school spelling test?

Can you pass this spelling test aimed at high school students? A new quiz shared by <a href="https://www.playbuzz.com/terrystein10/no-one-can-score-19-19-in-this-impossible-english-spelling-test#eightieth">Playbuzz</a> puts your spelling skills to the test, using 19 of the most commonly misspelled words in the English language. Although it may look straightforward, the creator of the quiz Terry Stein claims that of 40 high school students who tried his challenge, not a single one scored higher than nine. Ready? Take the quiz below and let us know your score in the comments below. <div class="pb_feed" data-embed-by="0b63bda6-9ef8-47b6-abb4-7474ed187ba2" data-item="23301d18-fdc5-4969-8c89-f90f8f82ae37" data-recommend="false" data-game-info="false" data-comments="false" data-shares="false"></div>

Mind

The basic spelling test everyone is failing

In these days of autocorrect and spellcheck, it’s never been easier to let basic grammar and spelling fall by the wayside. We’ve undertaken a few grammar challenges <a href="/news/news/2016/09/simple-grammar-test-90-percent-fail/" target="_blank">before</a>, but this viral quiz is stumping even those who think their spelling is up to scratch. Flip through the gallery above and give it a try for yourself, you might be surprised by the results! Tell us in the comments how many you correctly guessed. Related links: <a href="/news/news/2016/09/10-common-words-weve-been-saying-wrong/">10 common words we’ve been saying wrong</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/09/simple-grammar-test-90-percent-fail/">The simple grammar test 90% of people fail</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/09/can-you-solve-this-maths-problem/">Can you solve the kids’ maths problem stumping the internet?</a>

News

Little girl gets spelling of grandma adorably wrong

This little girl seems to know all the letters of the alphabet already, and apparently, they’re all in the word “grandma”. Struggling only for a moment with W, she takes her grandmother letter-by-letter through her adorably butchered spelling attempt. We give her an “A” for effort though. Video from: <a href="https://m.facebook.com/AFV/" target="_blank">America’s Funniest Home Videos</a> Related links: <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/04/how-grandparenting-today-has-changed/">The new rules of grandparenthood</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/04/best-activities-to-do-with-grandchildren/">10 of the best activities to do with grandchildren</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/03/100-years-of-family-dinner/">100 years of family dinner in 3 minutes</a>

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The basic spelling test everyone is failing

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