8.1.4 Violence in the Movies Comprehension and Vocabulary

Which inference about the MPAA ratings is most stronglysupported by the following passage?

However, APPC researchers report that PG-13 movies portray the same amount of violence as R-rated movies. Parents can no longer rely on MPAA’s film ratings to help determine which movies are suitable for children.

• Teenagers who commit violent acts are usually more eager to see R-rated movies.

• Parents can help their teenagers avoid seeing violent movies by finding movies that are rated according to their child’s age.

• The violence in R-rated movies is more brutal than what is seen in PG-13 movies.

• Violence is usually not reason enough for a movie to be given an R rating by the MPAA.

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CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

Which of the following is a counter-argument in the “Counterpoint” selection?

• Ratings should have no bearing on what movies children see.

• If parents want to keep their children away from violence, they should show them the plays of William Shakespeare.

• Parents should shift their focus to keeping their children away from R-rated movies.

• Parents should not only know the ratings, but they should help explain the violence seen in movies to their children.

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CCSS.RI.8.6

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.W.8.1A

CCSS.W.8.1C

Which statement would the authors of both the Point and Counterpoint selections agree with?

• Violence in storytelling is a relatively new development.

• If someone can show that they have been exposed to violent movies and not committed a violent crime, it is a strong argument against violent content causing violent behavior.

• There has been psychological research done that shows connections between violent actions and violent content in the media.

• Children who come from a low socioeconomic status are more likely to act violently after seeing a violent movie.

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CCSS.RI.7.7

CCSS.RI.8.7

CCSS.RL.7.7

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.8.7

Which synonym of the word correlation most closely matches its meaning in the following excerpt?

Although some psychological studies seem to prove a connection between media violence and violent behavior, those links are not significant enough to justify restrictions on movies. Jonathan L. Freedman, a professor of psychology at the University of Toronto, reported “a very small correlation” between media violence and aggressive behavior in children.

• relationship

• exchange

• difference

• lesson

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CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

What does the author of the “Point” selection mainly think the following suggestion would accomplish?

Movies should present scenarios in which conflict is resolved through nonviolent behaviors, without weapons.

• Audiences would eventually stop going to the movies.

• Violent behavior in children would likely disappear altogether.

• Children would be more likely to attempt to solve their problems without violence.

• Filmmakers would be unable to find other ways to create suspense.

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CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RI.8.6

Which passage from the first selection most strongly supports the answer to Question 5?

• “Of course, media violence is not the only risk factor for violent behavior in children.”

• “What Hollywood filmmakers must understand is that children mimic what they see in movies.”

• “Researchers at the Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC) of the University of Pennsylvania found that ‘the amount of gun violence shown in PG-13 films has more than tripled since 1985.’”

• "Playwrights of Ancient Greece included violent elements such as murder and suicide in their stories, but these violent actions happened offstage, and audiences remained emotionally engaged just the same.”

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CCSS.RI.8.7

CCSS.RL.7.7

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.8.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

Which of the following arguments would the author of the second selection most likely agree with?

• The bigger problem in Hollywood movies is that there is far too much sexual content, likely leading to more teenage pregnancies.

• There should not be laws banning unhealthy fast food or sugary sodas just because some Americans consume too much and get sick from them.

• The few Americans who commit violent crimes are likely watching movies which have the most graphic violence in them.

• The best way to avoid committing a crime is to stay away from going to violent movies in the first place.

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.7

CCSS.RI.7.7

CCSS.RI.8.7

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.8.7

Which statement from the second excerpt most strongly supports the argument in Question 7?

• “Some people feel that violence in media causes people to act violently in real life.”

• “Hollywood filmmakers include violence in movies as part of the craft of storytelling, to create an enjoyable movie-going experience for the audience.”

• “I watch violent movies on a regular basis”

• "It is also inappropriate to limit entertainment options for people who enjoy watching action and horror movies but have no tendency toward violence themselves.”

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CCSS.RI.8.1

The Point and Counterpoint selections present different ideas about the causes of violent behavior in children. Which TWO contributing factors belong to the POINT section.

• Children who lack adult supervision

• Too much violence in PG-13 movies

• Fictional heroes that solve problems with guns

• Low IQ and poor academic performance

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CCSS.RI.7.7

CCSS.RI.8.7

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.8.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

The Point and Counterpoint selections present different ideas about the causes of violent behavior in children. Which TWO contributing factors belong to the COUNTERPOINT section.

• Children who lack adult supervision

• Too much violence in PG-13 movies

• Fictional heroes that solve problems with guns

• Low IQ and poor academic performance

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.7

CCSS.RI.8.7

CCSS.RL.7.7

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.8.7