Violence in the Movies Quiz

Which inference about the MPAA ratings is most strongly supported 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" (par 8).

• 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.

What is the correct definition of "violence"?

• destructive physical force used for harm, damage, or injury

• prepared and eager to fight or disagree

• the connection or relationship between two things that exist or change together

• a lessened response to something over time, especially concerning emotions such as sympathy

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.

What is the correct definition of "aggressive"?

• the connection or relationship between two things that exist or change together

• a lessened response to something over time, especially concerning emotions such as sympathy

• destructive physical force used for harm, damage, or injury

• prepared and eager to fight or disagree

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" (par 13).

• relationship

• exchange

• difference

• lesson

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.

What is the correct definition of "correlation"?

• to set rules or state with authority

• the connection or relationship between two things that exist or change together

• prepared and eager to fight or disagree

• a lessened response to something over time, especially concerning emotions such as sympathy

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" (par 9).

• 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.

Which passage from the first selection most strongly supports the answer to the previous question?

• “Of course, media violence is not the only risk factor for violent behavior in children” (par 9).

• “What Hollywood filmmakers must understand is that children mimic what they see in movies” (par 5).

• “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’” (par 2).

• "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” (par 9).

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.