From Marbles to Machines

Which quotation summarizes the central idea of this selection?

• "Early voters used simple, inexpensive objects to cast their votes."

• "Many different styles of voting machines have been invented to make counting more accurate."

• "Many communities around the world provide transportation to the polls."

• "Whether a voter drops a marble into a drum or points and clicks on the Internet, voting is an important process all around the world."

What is the reason the selection is named "From Marbles to Machines?"

• to show how voting is done in America

• to show how voting has changed over the years

• to show how people vote in Australia and Switzerland

• to show how many countries remind their citizens to vote

What is the purpose of the first paragraph?

• It helps the reader understand the humor in the topic.

• It gets the reader's attention by asking thoughtful questions.

• It creates a mood of suspense by introducing a conflict.

• It provides a brief history of voting practices in different cultures.

According to the selection, why is voting privately by paper ballot called "kangaroo voting"?

• It is the type of voting used by children.

• It involves putting the vote in a pouch similar to a kangaroo's.

• It started in Australia, which is where kangaroos live.

• It is the way people voted in ancient Rome.

In the sentence below from paragraph 4, what does the word precise tell the reader?

"Machines are often used because they are faster and more precise than counting votes by hand."

• People want the votes counted exactly.

• People want the votes counted quickly.

• People want the votes counted repeatedly.

• People want the votes counted slowly.

In paragraph 5, what does the phrase "tampered with or illegally adjusted" mean?

• Some workers might tell others how a person voted.

• Some workers might help a person with their voting process.

• Some workers might cheat by changing a person's vote.

• Some workers might record a person's vote for them on the ballot.

In the selection, how are green paint, narrow Roman bridges, and purple ink similar?

• They help voters find polling places.

• They make the voting process safter.

• They are tools people use to vote.

• They ensure elections are fair.

In the selection, why do ballots in Afghanistan have stamp-sized pictures next to the names of candidates?

• The voter's need to see what the candidates look like.

• The voters need to see which candidate is best looking.

• Many voters are unable to read the candidates' name.

• Many voters prefer to paint their arms.

Which sentence summarizes the election officials' solution to the issue of voting rules?

• Each person votes by voice so the choices are known.

• Voters traveling long distance must be provided food and shelter.

• Even in distant locations, each person is allowed to vote only once.

• Only healthy, educated people are allowed to vote.