Standard Based Questions for Covering Issues in the News

How does Abby’s family support the claim that letting Abby go sailing around the world by herself was the right decision?

• A. by describing how capable she was to make decisions for herself without their input.

• B. by providing examples that shows other teenagers who have done the same successfully.

• C. by explaining how capable and adventurous Abby was.

• D. by explaining how worthwhile the risk was because they made a lot of money.

How does Joanna Weiss support the claim that letting Abby go on her solo voyage was a foolish and dangerous decision by Abby’s parents?

• A. by pointing out that the rescue workers were put in danger and that the image of Abby alone, surrounded by threatening waves, was “uninspiring”.

• B. by stating that it's a parent's job to realize their kids' dreams.

• C. by explaining that she gets nervous watching her 5-year old daughter on the monkey bar.

• D. by stating that Abby’s blog followers are calling her an inspiration and that there are links on her blog selling T-shirts.

How does the supporting evidence in both passages differ?

• A. The passage written by Harris relies on first-hand experience, but the passage written by Weiss relies on personal interviews.

• B. The passage written by Weiss uses objective evidence, but the passage written by Harris uses personal experience.

• C. The passage written by Weiss relies on logic, but the passage written by Harris appeals to emotion.

• D. The passage written by Weiss uses personal thoughts and feelings with counterarguments, but the passage written by Harris uses facts of the debate, providing quotes from experts and Abby’s parents.

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How do the two authors differ about the effect of parenting on the outcome of Abby’s solo trip?

• A.  Weiss believes that common parenting practices would not affect children’s ability to be adventurous, but Harris believes that it would.

• B. Weiss believes that proper parenting would decrease children’s risk for danger when parents make decisions that protect them, but Harris leaves readers with Abby’s family’s words, implying that children need to be allowed to explore their adventurous side even when it is risky.

• C. Weiss believes that children will be following their dreams less with protection, but Harris believes parents’ protection would completely stop children from putting themselves in danger.

• D. Weiss believes that children are going to be adventurous with or without opportunities, but Harris believes that children must have total freedom to experience adventure.

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Which three topics are mentioned by both authors?

• A. Risky adventures

• B. Irresponsible parenting 

• C. Publicity stunt

• D. Society’s responsibility

• E. Youngest adventurer 

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This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B. 

 Part A:  What is Weiss's position on the relationship between society and responsibility for children’s safety?

• A.  She feels that when society steps in, it does not affect any decision made regarding keeping children safe.

•  B. She believes that the courts should have stepped in to stop Abby from endangering herself when her parents didn’t.

• C.  She feels that society’s emphasis on accomplishments may or may not affect people’s willingness to take risky adventures.

• D. She believes that society’s involvement decreases a child’s imagination because society has too many restrictions.

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This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B. 

 Part B:  How is this issue portrayed in “Parents of Rescued Teenage Sailor Abby Sunderland Accused of Risking Her Life”?

• A. Harris believes that common parenting practices do not affect children’s ability to be adventurous because children are all unique.

•  B. Abby’s family believe that modern parenting advice is too cautious and an adventurous child needed a certain amount of risky challenges.

• C.  Harris feels that when society steps in, it does not affect any decision made regarding keeping children safe.

• D. Harris feels that society’s impact may or may not affect children’s safety.

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In which two ways are the passages different?

• A. One is a list of things that went wrong, but the other is a list of solutions.

• B. One is directed to overprotective parents, but the other is directed to adventure seekers.

• C. One is more objectively written while the other is more subjective. 

• D. One is written by a parent, but the other is written through a child’s perspective.

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Choose the appropriate sentence to be used in the passage.

• A.  She had an encounter where she had to go outside the sailboat to release the boom from some of the devices above the gunnels.

• B. She had an encounter where she had to above the gunnels go outside the sailboat to release the boom from some of the devices.

• C. She had an encounter where she had to go outside the sailboat release the boom from some of the devices up above the gunnels, after the seas were building.

• D. correct as is

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Choose the appropriate sentence to be used in the passage.

• A. She has a very resilient spirit, and she enjoys heavy winds, and big seas.

• B. She has a very resilient spirit; she enjoys heavy winds and big seas.

• C. She has, a very resilient spirit, and she enjoys heavy winds, and big seas.

• D. correct as is

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