Daylight Savings Time

The author of this selection thinks that —

• turning the clocks back continues to make people tired
• keeping the clocks set to daylight saving time for the whole year is a good idea
• conserving electricity has been important to Congress for many years
• more laws restricting energy consumption should be passed

The author uses the first paragraph mostly to —

• identify the source of his claims
• provide definitions of complex terms
• present the position of his argument
• reveal the solution to a problem

Why does the author include paragraphs 2 and 3?

• To share a humorous story about daylight saving time
• To explain to the reader how daylight saving time benefited the city of Paris
• To support the claim that daylight saving time saves money
• To help the reader understand where the idea for daylight saving time originated

The author supports each of his arguments with —

• results from research studies about the effects of changing the time
• personal experiences related to changing the clock twice a year
• facts about the history of daylight saving time
• quotes from Benjamin Franklin on the subject of changing the time

Which idea from paragraph 6 does the author base on an assumption?

• Great Britain has fewer traffic accidents during the period of daylight saving time.
• The risk of injury increases during standard time if a person is walking.
• More injuries occur in darkness than in daylight, according to research.
• People on the streets were tired and careless because of the change in time.

What is the best summary of the selection?

• Thanks to Benjamin Franklin’s realization that people were wasting natural sunlight,
  daylight saving time was created. The benefits of daylight saving time include energy 
  conservation, human safety, and crime reduction. Therefore, daylight saving time should 
  become our nation’s standard time.
• In the spring of each year, clocks are set forward to extend daylight hours, and in the fall
  clocks are set back to their previous setting, which is standard time. Having extended 
  daylight hours allows a greater number of people to work more efficiently.
• First enacted by Congress in 1918, daylight saving time is a standard practice for most of
  the United States. Arizona and Hawaii should start observing daylight saving time as well. 
  Congress has also extended the time period of daylight saving time beyond the initial six 
  months.
• Benjamin Franklin and other Parisians used to stay up late and then sleep until noon the
  next day. One morning when Franklin was awakened at 6 A.M., he realized that the wasted 
  sunlight was costing the city millions of dollars in candles.

Why is the map included at the end of the selection?

• To indicate which areas of the country benefit most from observing daylight saving time
• To highlight which states support the idea of extending daylight saving time
• To show which states were the first to implement daylight saving time
• To illustrate that the majority of the country observes daylight saving time

What is the best summary of the selection?

• Thanks to Benjamin Franklin’s realization that people were wasting natural sunlight,
  daylight saving time was created. The benefits of daylight saving time include energy 
  conservation, human safety, and crime reduction. Therefore, daylight saving time should 
  become our nation’s standard time.
• In the spring of each year, clocks are set forward to extend daylight hours, and in the fall
  clocks are set back to their previous setting, which is standard time. Having extended 
  daylight hours allows a greater number of people to work more efficiently.
• First enacted by Congress in 1918, daylight saving time is a standard practice for most of
  the United States. Arizona and Hawaii should start observing daylight saving time as well. 
  Congress has also extended the time period of daylight saving time beyond the initial six 
  months.
• Benjamin Franklin and other Parisians used to stay up late and then sleep until noon the
  next day. One morning when Franklin was awakened at 6 A.M., he realized that the wasted 
  sunlight was costing the city millions of dollars in candles.