The Story Three Cheers

Read the following paragraph from “Three Cheers for the Nanny State.”
          Of course, what people fear is that this is just the beginning: today it’s soda, tomorrow it’s the guy
          standing behind you making you eat your broccoli, floss your teeth, and watch PBS NewsHour
          every day. What this ignores is that successful paternalistic laws are done on the basis of
          cost-benefit analysis: if it’s too painful, it’s not a good law. Making these analyses is something
          the government has the resources to do, just as now it sets automobile construction standards while
          considering both the need for affordability and the desire for safety.
How does the author respond to the conflicting viewpoint?

• She agrees with the opposing argument and then supports her own claim using a specific fact.
  

• She proposes a solution to the opposing argument and then offers a relevant piece of evidence.
  

• She points out information disregarded in the opposing argument and then gives a valid opinion.
  

• She considers the concerns expressed in the opposing argument and then states her personal belief.

According to the author, what do people fear they will lose as a result of the new law? (Pick TWO)

• People fear that they will lose other freedoms.

• People fear they will lose the ability to make other decisions

• People fear they will lose the amount of food options they can choose from

• People fear they will lose the opportunity to be healthier

According to the author, what will most people gain from the soda ban?

• Harsher punishments

• Better health

• Increased taxes

• Cheaper drink options

Read the following sentence from “Three Cheers for the Nanny State.”

That’s what the government is supposed to do, help us get where we want to go.

Which of the following is accurate?

• The statement is an opinion because many people would agree with it.

• The statement is an opinion because it reflects the author’s belief.

• The statement is a fact because it proves the author’s argument.

• The statement is a fact because it is a true piece of information.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.6

Read the following sentence from “Three Cheers for the Nanny State.”

Some of us can drive safely at 90 miles per hour, but we’re bound by the same laws as the people who can’t, because individual speeding laws aren’t practical.

What idea from the text does this example demonstrate most clearly?

• People strive to follow laws even if some individuals refuse to obey them

• People must give up some individual freedom to ensure the safety of all.

• The government does not have the resources to implement new laws.

• Laws are necessary even though they can be challenging to enforce.

What evidence against the author’s perspective is provided in “Three Cheersfor the Nanny State”? Choose three options.

• Some people do not care much about their health.

• Some people think that drinking soda is unhealthy.

• Some people want more government intervention.

• Some people enjoy drinking a lot of soda at one time.

• Some people can regulate how much soda they drink.

What psychological concept discussed in “Three Cheers for the Nanny State” explains the reason the mind does not always make the best decisions?

• cognitive bias

• talk therapy

• deep hypnosis

• long-term memory

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Read the following paragraph from “Three Cheers for the Nanny State.”

Of course, what people fear is that this is just the beginning: today it’s soda, tomorrow it’s the guy standing behind you making you eat your broccoli, floss your teeth, and watch PBS NewsHour every day. What this ignores is that successful paternalistic laws are done on the basis of cost-benefit analysis: if it’s too painful, it’s not a good law. Making these analyses is something the government has the resources to do, just as now it sets automobile construction standards while considering both the need for affordability and the desire for safety.

How does the author respond to the conflicting viewpoint?

• She agrees with the opposing argument and then supports her own claim using a specific fact

• She proposes a solution to the opposing argument and then offers a relevant piece of evidence.

• She points out information disregarded in the opposing argument and then gives a valid opinion.

• She considers the concerns expressed in the opposing argument and then states her personal belief.

Read the following excerpt from “Three Cheers for the Nanny State.”

Obviously, it’s not about soda. It’s because such a ban suggests that sometimes we need to be stopped from doing foolish stuff, and this has become, in contemporary American politics, highly controversial, no matter how trivial the particular issue.(Large cups of soda as symbols of human dignity? Really?)

What is the impact of the parenthetical text?

• It shows that the author respects opinions about the ban that differ from her own.

• It demonstrates that the author does not understand how or why the ban was put into effect.

• It suggests that the author recognizes why there have been misunderstandings about the ban.

• It reveals that the author believes the ban has been given greater importance than it deserves.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.6

CCSS.RI.7.9

CCSS.RI.8.6

CCSS.RI.8.9

CCSS.RL.8.6

According to “Three Cheers for the Nanny State,” what do opponents of the ban discussed in the essay fear?

• increased poverty

• more regulations

• higher prices

• busier stores