Stars and Stripes Benchmark Aligned Questions

How do the authors from both passages allude to the “Gettysburg Address” - Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 speech that characterizes the role of the federal government as “of the people, by the people, and for the people differently? (R.2.4)

• The Point author uses the allusion to support citizens participating in protest and fulfilling their civic duty; Counterpoint uses it to support the 69% of Americans who would support a Constitutional Amendment.

• The Point author uses the allusion to support specific citizens like Gregory Lee Johnson; Counterpoint uses it to support individual states passing laws against flag burning.

• The Counterpoint author uses the allusion to support citizens protesting as part of their First Amendment rights; Point uses it to support the Americans who want states to take into consideration what the people want.

• The Counterpoint author uses the allusion to support the majority of Americans' thoughts about flag burning being illegal; Point uses it to consider public opinion on this matter.

Which statement most effectively compares how both authors develop their arguments? (R.2.4)

• The Point author states that most people support Constitutional productions for acts of protest including flag burning, while Counterpoint author states most people want flag burning to be illegal.

• The Point author suggests that public opinion is a valid reason to change laws, while Counterpoint author suggests that legislative decisions do not take public opinion into account.

• The Point author argues that flag burning should remain legal regardless of public opinion, while Counterpoint author argues that flag burning should be prohibited to reflect public opinion.

• The Point author says that the majority of service members support legal flag burning, while the Counterpoint author says that the majority of service members think flag burning should be legal.

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

Part A:  How does The Point author use the idea of freedom in paragraph 2? (R.2.4)

• Stressing how many people do not support the legal right to burn the flag.

• Emphasizing it would not make sense to protect freedom by limiting the very freedoms needing to be protected. 

• Stressing Richard Savage’s views on flag burning being a protected freedom.

• Emphasizing how the act of flag burning would be hurtful to those in the military. 

Part B:  How does The Counterpoint author use the idea of freedom differently from Part A in paragraph 13? (R.2.4)

• Focusing on the importance of limiting freedom of expression in the interest of national security. 

• Highlighting how limiting freedom of expression has impacted other countries.

• Highlighting events at The European Convention event. 

• Focusing on acting upon these freedoms should come with consequences as is the case in other places around the world. 

 Sort each statement evaluating the validity of their claims to show which applies to The Point, The Counterpoint, or both.

The author includes evidence on the importance of protecting freedom.

• Point

• Counterpoint

• Both

 Sort each statement evaluating the validity of their claims to show which applies to The Point, The Counterpoint, or both.:

The author develops the argument by providing specific examples on the potential consequences of flag burning.

• Point

• Counterpoint

• Both

Sort each statement evaluating the validity of their claims to show which applies to The Point, The Counterpoint, or both.

The author uses the example of Gregory Lee Johnson and The Supreme Court ruling as evidence to support their claims and overall argument.

• point

• counterpoint

• both

Sort each statement evaluating the validity of their claims to show which applies to The Point, The Counterpoint, or both.

The author provides statistics on the majority of Americans’ thoughts about the argument.

• point

• counterpoint

• both