Reading Bank 10

According to Passage 1, what is the reason the FCC worked with mobile satellite providers?

• to improve access to communication media in rural areas

• to improve access to communication media for people with disabilities

• to improve access to communication media for informational purposes

• to improve access to communication media for educational purposes

What is the main idea of Passage 1?

• The FCC was successful in the way it managed media in the past.

• The FCC regulated media in the past, regulates it now, and should continue to regulate it.

• The FCC has a long history of making controversial decisions about TV and radio programing.

• The FCC may not be needed in current times because media companies can regulate themselves.

According to Passage 1, which statement best explains why the FCC was created?

• The government felt that news programs were not being presented in a fair, unbiased way.

• In the 1930s, radios were an exciting new technology found in many American homes.

• Only the federal government is aware of all the issues that cause disagreement in the United States.

• The government felt a responsibility to make communication technology available to all Americans.

Which reason does the author of Passage 1 use to support the point that media companies should not regulate themselves?

• If allowed to regulate themselves, media companies could decide which new broadcasting inventions succeed and which fail.

• If allowed to regulate themselves, media companies could make decisions that are profitable but are not in the public’s interest.

• If allowed to regulate themselves, media companies would become too large and powerful to serve the public’s interest.

• If allowed to regulate themselves, media companies would quickly go out of business.

What is the main idea of Passage 2?

• The FCC should continue to regulate broadcasting in “the public interest.”

• The invention of new broadcast media demands stricter rules and regulations.

• Media companies, not the federal government, should regulate broadcasting.

• The U.S. public should create the rules that media companies must follow.

Read this paragraph from Passage 2. “This revolutionary access to information is something the government wants to regulate. In recent years, the FCC has labeled broadband Internet providers ‘public utilities’ so they can be managed more closely by the government. It has passed data collection rules that limit what companies can do, even if their customers do not agree to those limits. FCC regulation of media has existed for more than eighty years. It may be time to rethink the power we allow it.” Which method of organization has the author used to structure this paragraph?

• main idea and details

• steps in order

• compare and contrast

• order of importance

Select the dictionary definition that has the same meaning as operating in Passage 2. “To prevent them from operating freely would limit business and democracy itself.” (paragraph 5)

• definition 1

• definition 2

• definition 3

• definition 4

Read the sentence from Passage 2. “Others refute this position and argue that the internet was ‘born free’ and should remain so.” (paragraph 4) What is the meaning of refute as it is used in this sentence?

• decide on

• disagree with

• partially explain

• fully eliminate

This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B. Part A: Which statement integrates information from both passages?

• The mission and powers of the FCC decreased over time.

• The FCC oversees radio, telephones, wire, television, satellite, and cable companies.

• The FCC was established by a law and must respect U.S. law, including freedom of speech.

• The function of the FCC is related more to joining businesses than to regulating new companies.

Part B: Select one sentence from each passage that supports the answer to Part A. You will select two sentences total.

• “Later, it also oversaw television, wire, satellite, and cable.” (Passage 1)

• “The Communications Act of 1934 stated that FCC’s purpose was to make sure quality communication services were available to all American people.” (Passage 1)

• “It is difficult to know which new media will bring the next big change in the way people communicate.” (Passage 2)

• “Each decade brings inventions that the public didn’t see coming.” (Passage 2)

• “In a democracy, the people should decide what they read, watch and say, not the government." (Passage 2)