Public Protests

The writer wants to add a sentence after sentence 2 to further persuade readers of the importance of the constitutional right to assemble. Which of the following sentences uses the most persuasive language?

• A. Since then, presidents have regretfully allowed peaceful protests outside their front gates.

• B. Since then, presidents have wisely allowed peaceful protests outside their front gates.

• C. Since then, presidents have allowed protests outside their front gates.

• D. Since then, presidents have occasionally allowed peaceful protests outside their front gates.

• E. Since then, presidents have never allowed violent protests outside their front gates.

The writer wants to connect the idea in sentence 4 to the idea in sentence 3. Consequently, the proposals would require payment from protestors to help offset the security and clean-up costs of demonstrations in many public spaces. Which version of the underlined text best accomplishes this goal?

• A. (as it is now)

• B. Therefore,

• C. Additionally,

• D. Thus,

• E. For example,

The writer wants to add a sentence to the end of the first paragraph (sentences 1-4) that summarizes the essay's main idea. Which of the following sentences best accomplishes this goal?

• A. But many Americans chafe against new regulations.

• B. Even the suffragettes of 1917 did not need to pay clean-up fees.

• C. Far more people protest at the White House and National Mall than did a century ago.

• D. When citizens want to express their views to the government, protesting and picketing are an effective means of doing so.

• E. Together, the limiting of access and the charging of fees has many Americans earnestly protesting again.

In sentence 9, the writer wants to include a parenthetical aside that helps readers understand why limiting sidewalk space might make many people angry. It isn't just the 80% limiting of White House sidewalk space, long considered important for citizens, that has outraged many Americans. Which version of the underlined text best accomplishes this goal?

• A. (as it is now)

• B. long considered relevant to discourse,

• C. long considered a valuable space,

• D. long considered important for Americans wanting their voices heard,

• E. long part of American tradition

The writer wants to add more information to the third paragraph (sentences 9-12) to support the main argument of the paragraph. All of the following pieces of evidence would support the claim EXCEPT which one?

• A. A quote from an ACLU leader stating that first amendment rights should not depend on an individual’s ability to pay

• B. The amount Martin Luther King Jr.’s march on Washington would have cost under the proposed new fee requirements

• C. An example of a group that lacks the financial resources to pay for lobbyists

• D. A description of the protest area that would be affected by the proposed cuts  

• E. A quote from a law expert on the constitutionality of the new fee requirements

In sentence 16, the writer wants to use a parenthetical aside in order to clarify that the NPS's statement is a counterargument to the writer's central claim. And when the NPS, thinking that it needed to comment, stated that there have been 'increasingly frequent and more complex demonstrations in and around the National Mall,' this point too came under dispute. Which version of the underlined text best accomplishes this goal?

• A. (as it is now)

• B. arguing for the cost portion of the proposal

• C. trying to backpedal

• D. capitulating to the pressure

• E. siding with the Secret Service

The writer wants to add the following sentence to the fourth paragraph (sentences 13-16) to refute the NPS's argument in favor of the proposed fees.

According to Arthur Spitzer, a legal co-director of the ACLU of D.C., 'The number of applications for demonstration permits has actually decreased in recent years.'

Where would the sentence best be placed?

• A. Before sentence 13

• B. After sentence 13

• C. After sentence 14

• D. After sentence 15

• E. After sentence 16

Which of the following sentences, if placed after sentence 16, would both bring the argument to a unified end and leave the audience with a compelling image or call to action?

• A. At the risk of adding to the demonstration-permit statistics, it's time for another demonstration.

• B. In conclusion, many groups are upset about the new proposals and are working hard to change them before they go into effect.

• C. In fact, most of the permits acquired in recent years have been for concerts, parties, sporting competitions, and other non-political events.

• D. As one commenter wrote, 'Although the pristine quality of the national mall is an important consideration, it should not be used to limit or threaten this great American institution.'

• E. It is uncertain whether the ACLU will successfully dissuade the NPS from putting the new regulations into effect or if their efforts will become yet another failed protest.