def test_word(word):
    '''searches a dictionary file for existance of word given returning 0 if
    it's not found and 1 if it is.  An error message is printed if no
    dictionary file can be found'''
    try:
        dictionary = open("dict.txt", r)
        #assume dict.txt is in same directory#
    except:
        print 'Unable to find dict.txt in this directory'
    correct_words = dictionary.split()
    if word in correct_words:
        correctness = 1
    else: correctness = 0
    return correctness