Ban the Ban/ Soda's a Problem but... Review

In paragraph 3 of "Ban the Ban!", what does the author mean by the phrase "a very slippery slope"?

• If we let the government decide how much soda we are allowed to have, then they will surely start taking away other personal choices.

• If we don't let the government pass the soda ban, everyone's health will keep getting worse and worse.

• If we let the government decide how much soda we are allowed to have, the author thinks it will not impact our other freedoms.

• The government should put signs out to keep people from falling and making other mistakes.

According to the author of "Soda's a Problem but...", why did the judge stop the soda ban from being put into effect? (SELECT TWO)

• McDonalds and other fast food restaurants refused to comply with the new rules.

• The ban wasn't going to impact all businesses the same which would create loopholes around the soda ban.

• The judge personally wanted to be able to choose to buy large sodas.

• The law was not approved by everyone that needed to approve it.

How does the author of "Soda's a Problem but..." view the public?

• She view them as experts and trusts them to ban unhealthy drinks for the greater good.

• She views them as unintelligent since they are advocating for this ban.

• She views the public as ill-informed, but not helpless.

• She thinks the public is helpless and needs the government to intervene.

Read the following quote from paragraph 2 in “Ban the Ban”. 

“When you take away the option to order a soda over a certain size, you have now removed my opinion. I no longer have a choice.”

What is the author’s tone in this quote? What can a reader infer from the way the author makes her statement?

• The author is using a disapproving tone. This sends the message that she doesn't support the ban.

• The author is using a cheerful, upbeat tone. This shows her support for the ban.

• The author is using an apathetic tone of voice. She does not care whether the ban is passed or not.

• The author is using a melancholy tone of voice. She is sad that she will get fewer drink and food options.

Read the following quote from paragraph 4 in “Ban the Ban”.

“People think it is not important because it is just soda but it is so much more than that - it is about freedom and the freedom to make your own decisions about what you do and what you put into your bodies.”

What word does the author repeat? Why do you think the author repeated this term?

• The author repeats the word "People" because it reminds the lawmakers of the citizens their laws impact.

• The author repeats the word decisions to show that people need to make their own decisions and not be limited by the government.

• The author repeats the word "freedom" to show that the soda ban is not taking away from anyone's freedom.

• The author repeats the word "freedom" to connect the soda ban to the larger issue of limiting personal freedoms.

Read the following quote from paragraph 4 in “Soda’s a Problem but…”

“There are times when government has to step in on obviously dangerous situations - especially those, such as smoking, that affect people other than the person whose  behavior would be curbed - but it’s my belief that we want to scrutinize them carefully and keep them to a minimum.”

Why might the author have chosen to include this information which does not support her argument? 

• She is trying to show a problem where people may need the government to step in to demonstrate how the soda ban is a different situation.

• She is trying to show that there is never a time the government needs to step in to help citizens.

• She is trying to show that the government needs to help people from making any mistakes.

• She is trying to show a problem similar to the soda ban to serve as a warning that people may lose freedoms as a result of government interference.

Read the following sentence.

"I don't buy the argument that people are helpless in the face of sugar..."

Ture or False: "In the face of" is an idiom that means "when confronted with".

• True

• False

True or False: Michael Bloomberg was the mayor of New York City at the time the soda ban selections were written.

• True

• False

Which answer choices best describe a synonym of the word " intentions"? Select all that apply.

• Goal

• Purpose

• Motive

• Accident

The mayor implemented laws banning smoking.

What does the word "implemented" most likely mean?

• put into effect

• ban

• stop from happening

• loudly object