Practice: Social Studies Skills

You read a news article about climate change that emphasizes the economic costs of renewable energy. What might this point of view reflect about the author's perspective?

• The author is focused on the financial impact of addressing climate change.

• The author believes renewable energy has no economic benefits.

• The author supports renewable energy regardless of cost.

• The author thinks climate change isn't real.

Read the passage, and then summarize the speaker's view about his country, Senegal, immediately after independence.

• The country was immediately successful.

• The country was unprepared to meet its needs.

• The country would probably go to war with its neighbors.

• The country took some time to develop but eventually met the needs of its people.

Why is it important to consider both videos?

• To see how the protest affects everyone involved.

• To decide which video is telling the truth.

• To ignore both videos and read a book instead.

• To only focus on the demands of the protestors.

Read the passage, and then summarize the speaker's view about the challenges of industrialization in their country.

• The country fully embraced industrialization without concerns.

• The country rejected industrialization due to environmental harm.

• The country faced challenges with industrialization but is now working toward sustainable growth.

• The country believes industrialization caused more harm than good and abandoned it altogether.

What is the author's point of view in the article about student loan forgiveness, and how does their word choice or evidence support their perspective?

• The author opposes student loan forgiveness, focusing on fairness to those who repaid loans and national debt concerns.

• The author supports student loan forgiveness, using positive language and evidence about economic benefits.

• The author presents both sides without showing a clear preference, using neutral language and balanced evidence.

• The author is indifferent to the issue, providing minimal evidence and analysis.

A news article about a new school policy focuses only on the benefits of the change. What should you do to fully understand the issue?

• Trust the article because it supports the policy.

• Find another source that presents potential drawbacks of the policy.

• Assume there are no other perspectives to consider.

• Ignore the article and form your own opinion without evidence.

A protest is happening in your city about reducing traffic in urban areas. One group says it will improve air quality, while another argues it will hurt local businesses. How can you evaluate both points of view?

• Research how similar policies have impacted other cities.

• Only listen to the group that aligns with your opinion.

• Ignore the protests because they are irrelevant to you.

• Assume both sides are exaggerating their concerns.

A teacher assigns a debate on whether school uniforms should be mandatory. How should you prepare to represent your assigned point of view?

• Only focus on why the other side is wrong.

• Look for evidence that supports the assigned perspective, even if you don't agree with it.

• Avoid researching and speak only from personal opinion.

• Ignore the assignment if you don't agree with the position.

A city announces a ban on single-use plastics, and local business owners argue it will increase their costs while environmentalists praise it for reducing pollution. How might you determine whether the ban is more beneficial or harmful overall?

• Only listen to the business owners since they will feel the immediate effects.

• Assume the environmental benefits outweigh all other concerns.

• Decide the ban is harmful because it creates inconvenience for businesses.

• Investigate studies on the environmental and economic impacts of similar bans.

You hear a news story that some people support funding for public parks, while others think the money should go to schools instead. How could you fairly assess both points of view?

• By only listening to one side of the argument

• By ignoring both points of view

• By considering the reasons and evidence for each side

• By making a decision without any information