Synthesizing Information

​Synthesizing Information

By 6th Coleman Humanities

Multiple Choice

Reread this text. Which of the following sentences paraphrases the main idea of Source 1?

Source 1 - "Cell phones allow people to be available anywhere, at any time; however, they do have their drawbacks. Some cell-phone users feel disconnected from other humans. Others say that their lives are now too busy. Finally, some worry that children are being given cell phones too young, and might never learn to communicate without them!"

• Cell phones can be convenient, but they also can cause problems.

• Cell-phone users do not know how to communicate.

• Cell-phone users do not know how to communicate.

  
  

Multiple Select

Which of the following questions would give you more information about Source 2?

Source 2 - "Cell phones have made modern life much easier in many ways. People are available all the time—when they're far away from the home or the office. Some people argue, though, that cell phones are dangerous for drivers and may cause unknown health issues."

• What is the cost of a regular phone?
  

• What health issues are cell phones thought to cause, and why?

• Who are the people that argue the dangers of cell phones?

Multiple Choice

Making connections is an important part of synthesizing. Look for ways in which the main ideas relate to other works on the same subject.

What idea does Source 3 share with Sources 1 and 2?

• Cell phones are dangerous.

• Cell phones are improving.

• Cell-phone users are always reachable.

• People use cell phones constantly.

You have analyzed and compared three texts about cell phones. By considering the ideas in those texts, as well as your own knowledge of cell phones, you can now synthesize the information.
Read each statement. Is it a good synthesis of the three texts? Select Yes or No.

Multiple Choice

People shouldn't use cell phones because they can cause humans to feel cut off from others. Cell phones may cause health problems, too. Certainly they do for distracted drivers who have accidents.

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Cell-phone technology keeps us more connected than we used to be, but it has some significant downsides—driving hazards, for example, or added stress. We need to work on using cell phones more responsibly.

• Yes

• No