Author's viewpoint

Today, it is common to open the newspaper and see that a famous musician is being sued for stealing music from another famous musician. Sometimes, the issue is that a very small section of a song sounds like a song that had been written before. Sometimes, the issue is that a large part of a song sounds like a song that had been written before. It is against the law to make money off of other people’s music unless they agree to it. Usually, the two musicians come to an agreement to share the money that the new song makes.

In the past, this was not a major problem. Musicians then often made much less money. With less money at stake, there was not much to complain about. More importantly, using another person’s music could be seen as respectful. A musician could be proud that a younger musician looked up to him or her enough to use some of his or her music. This would more likely be considered borrowing someone’s music rather than stealing it. There was a sense of cooperation between musicians. Today, money is more important than cooperation.

The second paragraph is mostly about...

• how musicians in the past shared music respectfully.

• how stealing music was not against the law in the past.

• how money is more important than cooperation.

• how using the music of another person was respectful.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

Today, it is common to open the newspaper and see that a famous musician is being sued for stealing music from another famous musician. Sometimes, the issue is that a very small section of a song sounds like a song that had been written before. Sometimes, the issue is that a large part of a song sounds like a song that had been written before. It is against the law to make money off of other people’s music unless they agree to it. Usually, the two musicians come to an agreement to share the money that the new song makes.

In the past, this was not a major problem. Musicians then often made much less money. With less money at stake, there was not much to complain about. More importantly, using another person’s music could be seen as respectful. A musician could be proud that a younger musician looked up to him or her enough to use some of his or her music. This would more likely be considered borrowing someone’s music rather than stealing it. There was a sense of cooperation between musicians. Today, money is more important than cooperation.

Which of these best describes the main idea of the passage?

• One artist borrowing the music of another used to be common but is now considered stealing.

• In the past, it was common for musicians to borrow the music of other musicians

• It is against the law for one musician to make money off of the music of another.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Today, it is common to open the newspaper and see that a famous musician is being sued for stealing music from another famous musician. Sometimes, the issue is that a very small section of a song sounds like a song that had been written before. Sometimes, the issue is that a large part of a song sounds like a song that had been written before. It is against the law to make money off of other people’s music unless they agree to it. Usually, the two musicians come to an agreement to share the money that the new song makes.

In the past, this was not a major problem. Musicians then often made much less money. With less money at stake, there was not much to complain about. More importantly, using another person’s music could be seen as respectful. A musician could be proud that a younger musician looked up to him or her enough to use some of his or her music. This would more likely be considered borrowing someone’s music rather than stealing it. There was a sense of cooperation between musicians. Today, money is more important than cooperation.

Which of these best describes the author's attitude toward one musician using another's work?

• He considers it a crime.

• He thinks that it was a sign of respect until people only began to do it only to make money.

• He thinks that anyone should be able to use a small part of someone else's song.

• He shows no opinion toward the topic in the passage

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.6

CCSS.RI.6.9

CCSS.RI.7.6

CCSS.RI.8.9

CCSS.RL.8.6

Passage 1

Skateboarding is a sport just like any other. Many people look at skateboarders as though they were criminals. There is nothing illegal about the sport. However, because there are often not adequate facilities for practicing, skateboarders use public property. Instead of punishing skateboarders, we should work to build skate parks so they can practice safely and legally.

Passage 2

Skateboarders are a nuisance. They have no regard for the law. These people cause problems instead of simply practicing their skills. Skateboarding should be completely banned in the city limits, and the fines for breaking the ban should be larger. This would lower the city's overall crime rate.

How do the authors' attitudes toward skateboarding differ?

• The author of passage 1 approves of skateboarding; the author of passage 2 disapproves of skateboarding.

• The author of passage 1 is likes skateboarding; the author of passage 2 is does not have an opinion about skateboarding.

• The author of passage 1 is excited about skateboarding; the author of passage 2 is confused by skateboarding.

• The author of passage 1 is angry about skateboarding; the author of passage 2 is amused by skateboarding.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.9

CCSS.RI.7.6

CCSS.RI.8.6

CCSS.RI.8.9

CCSS.RL.7.6

Every creature on Earth deserves a chance at life. Unfortunately, many animals do not have a loving, caring place to call home. Although their original owners may not want them, a new home will make all the difference in the world. A snuggly, warm kitten or a friendly, active dog could be just the touch to make your house a home. These wonderful animals make great companions and ask little in return. You should open your heart and your home to these beautiful little rays of sunshine. You will not regret it.

This description of pets currently up for adoption was written by the shelter's owner. Which descriptors reveal the writer's positive bias?

• "wonderful," "snuggly," and "beautiful"

• "chance," "original," and "difference"

• "home," "rays," and "Unfortunately"

• "creature," "Earth," and "companions"

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.6

It is important for a person to develop a habit of waking up early to exercise. Early morning workouts energize the body for the rest of the day. In fact, early morning exercise ensures that the extra calories stored in the body are used. When a person exercises in the evening, his or her body uses the calories from food eaten throughout the day.

Which of these best describes the author's tone in this passage?

• persuasive

• mocking

• know-it-all

• anxious

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Cruise ships might be a fun way to take a vacation, but they do far too much damage to the environment. The ships are harmful to marine life. Research suggests that cruise ships produce more than three times the amount of CO2 that airplanes do. Furthermore, cruise-ship passengers do not spend enough time at a given destination to learn about its culture. Thus, the passengers do not promote local culture. The next time you want to take a vacation, try taking a train or plane to your destination instead.

Based on the passage, which of these best describes the author's attitude toward cruise ships?

• appreciative

• neutral

• confused

• concerned

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.9

CCSS.RI.7.9

CCSS.RI.8.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

Cruise ships might be a fun way to take a vacation, but they do far too much damage to the environment. The ships are harmful to marine life. Research suggests that cruise ships produce more than three times the amount of CO2 that airplanes do. Furthermore, cruise-ship passengers do not spend enough time at a given destination to learn about its culture. Thus, the passengers do not promote local culture. The next time you want to take a vacation, try taking a train or plane to your destination instead.

Read the last sentence of the paragraph. It is clear that the author wants readers to

• find an alternative to cruise ships when taking a vacation.

• learn about the impact of CO2 on cruise-ship passengers.

• compare the speeds of different modes of transportation.

• think about the ways in which airplanes harm the environment.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.6

CCSS.RI.8.6

CCSS.RI.8.9

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

A statement that can be proved true is

• a fact

• an opinion

• a viewpoint

• denotation

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.6

Viewpoint is defined as

• bias toward one side of an issue

• the author's opinion about an issue or topic

• positive, negative, or neutral

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.9

CCSS.RI.7.6

CCSS.RI.8.6

CCSS.RI.8.9

CCSS.RL.7.6