The Cost of Tweeting

What is this Article mainly about?

• Celebrities who express their political opinions on social media can suffer negative consequences, which some say isn't fair.

• Some argue that highly visible on-air talent for television sports networks reflect on their employers when they make public statements.

• Actor James Woods said he was fired by his agent for criticizing former President Barack Obama on Twitter and expressing his support for President Donald Trump.

• ESPN anchor Jemele Hill was suspended from her job for two weeks after tweeting negative statements about President Donald Trump and an NFL team owner.

What is a cause and effect relationship that takes place in the Article?

• Because Jemele Hill left ESPN after being suspended over a Twitter issue, James Woods reminded people that it is patriotic to appreciate free speech and everyone's right to think as an individual.

• Because Ken Kaplan dropped James Woods as a client, Woods decided to counter Kaplan's liberal views by expressing his own politically conservative opinions.

• Because Ken Kaplan was in charge of protecting James Woods' image, Kaplan suggested that Woods and Jemele Hill compare how their business associates reacted to their political tweets.

• Because ESPN anchor Jemele Hill posted political statements on her personal Twitter account, ESPN reminded its employees that individual tweets that reflect negatively on the sports network could have consequences.

Which is the closest antonym for the word boycott, as it is used in the Article?

• Reject

• Support

• Retain

• Surrender

Which of these is a statement of opinion?

• Jemele Hill left ESPN in September 2018 after being suspended from her position as an anchor almost a year prior.

• James Woods wrote several tweets about former President Barack Obama's position on terrorists and the part Woods says Obama played in a government shutdown.

• Celebrities ought to consider the feelings and beliefs of their business associates before making political tweets on their personal Twitter feeds.

• Social media can be used to chat with other people, share thoughts about what's going on in the world, and express opinions.

Based on information in the Article, which of the following best describes how Ken Kaplan and James Woods differ?

• Ken Kaplan criticized President Donald Trump for not condemning racist groups, whereas James Woods praised Trump for his stance on terrorism.

• Agent Ken Kaplan believes celebrities should use social media to express their views, whereas actor James Woods thinks celebrities should share their views more widely.

• Ken Kaplan does not support President Donald Trump, whereas James Woods believes that every president deserves the public's support.

• Agent Ken Kaplan is a political liberal, whereas actor James Woods has a conservative point of view when it comes to politics.

The Article states:

As Woods' agent, Kaplan might have represented Woods in meetings, issued statements on Woods' behalf, and helped protect Woods' image. And that association, some would argue, went both ways: It meant that whatever Woods did and said reflected on Kaplan.

Which would be the closest synonym for the word association, as it is used above?

• Community

• Memory

• Argument

• Relationship

Which passage from the Article best supports the idea that some people believe celebrities can't expect the same degree of freedom of speech as non-celebrities?

• Woods claimed that Kaplan is "a political liberal" who objected to these tweets. Woods is a passionate supporter of President Donald Trump and has been critical of former President Barack Obama on social media.

• If you're a celebrity, there are plenty of reasons to use social media. You can promote your latest projects, chat with fans without getting accosted by mobs of people, and even share your thoughts about what's happening in the world.

• Similarly, as an on-air talent for ESPN, Hill was one of the network's highly visible representatives. Therefore, some would say, her statements—even those made on her own time—reflected on ESPN. These and other celebrities have a duty, some would argue, to keep their business associates in mind when they use social media.

• Why would Woods' agent and Hill's employer care about political statements that were made on a personal account? After all, some would argue that social media is a platform for individual expression, and that everyone—including a celebrity—has the right to say whatever he or she likes.

The reader can infer from the Article that __________.

• Actor James Woods and his former agent, Ken Kaplan, would find it easier to work together if a political liberal had been elected president.

• ESPN officials give the network's employees a great deal of personal liberty to openly support any cause they please outside of work.

• Twitter has been shown to be an ineffective medium for celebrities to promote their latest projects or connect with fans.

• Former ESPN anchor Jemele Hill and actor James Woods would probably disagree on many political issues.