Let Kids Play Safely/Protect Kids from Harm

Directions: Read the passage below and answer the question(s) that follow. Let Kids Play Safely/Protect Kids from Harm There has been talk recently regarding the dangers associated with football, focusing especially on the risk of concussion. Some have even called for banning football entirely for children younger than 14 in order to do away with this risk. Banning football is an extreme view of the situation and one that will not serve children well. Obesity rates in the United States have risen sharply since the 1980s. During this time span, the percentage of obese teens has risen from five percent to 21 percent. The rise in the use of computers, video games, and social media can be partly to blame for this increase. These forms of technology can also be isolating. Kids are kept inside by themselves for hours every afternoon instead of relating to peers. Sports, such as football, provide an excellent source of exercise and comradery. If we want to get kids outside and interacting with others, banning football is not a step in the right direction. There are other youth sports that can be considered dangerous as well, such as hockey and cheerleading. In cheerleading, some falls have been shown to have a stronger force acting on the person than a tackle in football. Instead of doing away with these sports for teens, changes have been enacted in the way these sports are played in order for them to be safer. The same can be done with football. The risk of concussion in football should be taken seriously. There are steps that can be taken to ensure this risk is avoided as much as possible. For example, instead of tackling with heads down, children should be taught to tackle with their heads up and out of the way. This will prevent a lot of head injuries that can result when two helmets smash into each other. Another option would be to do away with tackling entirely. Flag football will still give the benefits of football exercise and teamwork without the risk of concussion. Kids can still learn and enjoy the sport without the risk of so great an injury. A rather extreme suggestion has been made to get rid of helmets entirely. This argument states that helmets provide a false sense of security. Players think they are protected, so they hit harder. If helmets were gone, then players would pay more attention and play a safer game. While this may seem cuckoo and not taken seriously, it does show that people want football to be safer. Football can be safer, as long as we make the necessary changes. Children should not be prevented from playing this great game when simple safety measures can be put into place. Protect Kids from Harm If you asked a random person on the street to name a dangerous sport, how do you think he would answer? Chances are, he would say football and he would be right. Football is responsible for 96.9 percent of all sports injuries in the United States. The youngest players are most at risk to lasting effects of these injuries, and some changes to the game have been suggested to try to reduce these hazards; however, the dangers are not going away. Children are still getting hurt, and it is time for a change. Football for children under the age of 14 should be banned. It has been suggested that alternatives to tackle football, such as flag football, be introduced. While this would prevent the purposeful tackling, it would not abolish all collisions. It also creates an unsafe atmosphere in the event a child is tackled accidentally or not. Players in flag football programs are not taught how to be tackled, so if they are tackled on the field, more serious injuries are possible. This same logic applies to the argument of children should be taught how to tackle better. If players are taught to keep their heads up while tackling, what happens if they are accidentally caught with their head down? They will have had no experience with this situation and the result could be a horrible injury. Many state legislatures have created laws that try to prevent serious injury related to concussions. Trainers with specialized concussion education are required to be on the sidelines of football fields in some states. If players are suspected of receiving a concussion, certain protocols have be put into place to speed healing and lessen the negative effects. These are admirable changes; however, these laws do not take other injuries into account. Instead, these changes have focused on concussions specifically. Unfortunately, research indicates that concussions are only a small contributor to the brain injuries that football players face all too often. Play after play and practice after practice, football players receive blows to the head. While these blows may not be serious Generated On March 28, 2018, 2:49 PM PDT Page 1

Directions: Answer the following question(s) relating to the passage titled "Let Kids Play Safely/Protect Kids from Harm". enough to require official interventions, each hit does damage. The harm is most pronounced in children under the age of 14, whose bodies are still developing and are more vulnerable. The damage done in these cases is usually not evident until decades later, when memory loss appears and mental functioning starts to decrease. Our society would never purposely put our children in danger of long-term brain injury. Why, then, do we embrace the dangerous sport of football? While older teens and adults are free to do what they choose, younger children need our protection. There is no reason why children under the age of 14 should be playing football. 1 How does the author of "Protect Kids from Harm" portray football as being dangerous? A. The author immediately draws attention to the fact that football is responsible for nearly 97% of all sports injuries in the U.S. and then proposes banning it for kids. B. The author admits the risk of concussion should be taken more seriously and points out steps that can be taken to avoid getting concussions in the first place. C. The author shows that concussions are the major contributor to the brain injuries that football players continue to face. D. The author provides statistics that show how many children that played football as children went on to experience the effects of brain damage in their adult lives. 2 The author of "Protect Kids From Harm" asks, "Why, then, do we embrace the dangerous sport of football?" Which argument from "Let Kids Play Safely" would best answer that question? A. Football, with necessary changes, gets kids outdoors and safely exercising and interacting with others, something kids need more of. B. Kids are drawn to forms of technology that can be isolating and keep them indoors. C. Football is actually safe for kids as long as it is flag football, which does away with tackling entirely. D. Cheerleading and hockey are also dangerous sports yet neither of those sports has been banned for kids. 3 Read the sentences from the text. Many state legislatures have created laws that try to prevent serious injury related to concussions. Trainers with specialized concussion education are required to be on the sidelines of football fields in some states. If players are suspected of receiving a concussion, certain protocols have be put into place to speed healing and lessen the negative effects. These are admirable changes; however, these laws do not take other injuries into account. What does the word "admirable" mostly suggest? Select two options. A. The author respects the state legislatures for trying to prevent injuries related to concussions. B. The author thinks the laws intended to prevent injuries related to concussions are very good, but not good enough. C. The author admires the players for changing their ways in order to avoid getting concussions. D. The author thinks the changes were made to please everyone rather than to do what was right. E. The author thinks the changes are not attainable because enforcing the laws would be too difficult. Generated On March 28, 2018, 2:49 PM PDT Page 2

Directions: Answer the following question(s) relating to the passage titled "Let Kids Play Safely/Protect Kids from Harm". 4 Read the excerpt from "Let Kids Play Safely." A rather extreme suggestion has been made to get rid of helmets entirely. This argument states that helmets provide a false sense of security. Players think they are protected, so they hit harder. If helmets were gone, then players would pay more attention and play a safer game. While this may seem cuckoo and not taken seriously, it does show that people want football to be safer. What does the underlined phrase suggest about the author's opinion in the text? Select two options. A. The author thinks that this idea is not a valid point. B. The author thinks that more work should be done to make football safe. C. The author thinks that more research should be done into effective safety measures. D. The author thinks that not all suggestions on making football safer are realistic. E. The author thinks that people should do whatever is necessary to make football safer. 5 The author of "Protect Kids from Harm" included criticisms of safety measures suggested for youth football. What are the most likely reasons the author structured the text in this way? Select two options. A. It provides an explanation for ways to prevent concussions in football. B. It allows the author to discredit the arguments made in "Let Kids Play Safely." C. It introduces players who have been injured after the safety measures were enacted. D. It creates an opportunity for the author to describe why football should be banned entirely. E. It gives the author the ability to prove injuries can be prevented if these safety measures are used. 6 The following question has two parts. First, answer part A. Then, answer part B. Part A: Which of these inferences about the author's purpose is supported by text of "Let Kids Play Safely"? A. The author is writing to tell readers about other sports that are as dangerous as football. B. The author is writing to describe to readers some of the serious health issues associated with football. C. The author is writing to convince readers that children should be able to play football, as long as they are doing it safely. D. The author is writing to persuade readers to sign their children up for football because of the benefits of being a part of a team. Part B: Which detail from the text best supports your answer from part A? A. Banning football is an extreme view of the situation and one that will not serve children well. B. Sports, such as football, provide an excellent source of exercise and comradery. C. The risk of concussion in football should be taken seriously. D. Children should not be prevented from playing this great game when simple safety measures can be put into place. Generated On March 28, 2018, 2:49 PM PDT Page 3

Directions: Answer the following question(s) relating to the passage titled "Let Kids Play Safely/Protect Kids from Harm". 7 Read the excerpt from "Protect Kids from Harm." It has been suggested that alternatives to tackle football, such as flag football, be introduced. While this would prevent the purposeful tackling, it would not abolish all collisions. Which dictionary entry best defines abolish as it is used in "Protect Kids from Harm"? A. to substitute B. to encourage C. to do away with D. to speak against 8 Based on information in "Protect Kids from Harm," which sentence best explains why current state laws are not enough to protect young football players? A. Many state legislatures have created laws that try to prevent serious injury related to concussions. B. These are admirable changes; however, these laws do not take other injuries into account. C. Unfortunately, research indicates that concussions are only a small contributor to the brain injuries that football players face all too often. D. The damage done in these cases is usually not evident until decades later, when memory loss appears and mental functioning starts to decrease. Generated On March 28, 2018, 2:49 PM PDT Page 4

Directions: Read the passage below and answer the question(s) that follow. In Defense of the Penny In Defense of the Penny by Danny Caledon 1 Some people want to eliminate the penny in the United States. Supporters of this idea argue that it would save the government money because pennies cost more to make than they are worth. However, the hidden costs of eliminating the penny erase the potential savings. Removing the penny would increase the use of the nickel, which costs even more to make than it is worth. In addition, over half of all Americans are opposed to getting rid of the penny. 2 Many people say that ceasing production of the penny will save money. It is true that the government would not have to pay to make pennies, but the change will not save as much as people think. The prices of goods and services would have to be rounded to the nearest five-cent mark, meaning that most prices would probably rise. Rounding prices would also increase the use of nickels. But each nickel costs over eight cents to make close to twice its value. Getting rid of the penny would not solve the problem of producing coins that cost more to make than they are worth. 3 In addition, a majority of Americans advocate keeping the penny. A 2014 Huffington Post survey showed that 51% of Americans oppose eliminating the penny. Most people feel sentimental about pennies, and 71% say they stop and pick up a penny when they see one on the ground. Furthermore, 43% of people would feel disappointed or angry if the government stopped making In contrast, only 34% supported eliminating the penny. The government should not get rid of the penny when most citizens want to keep it. 4 Eliminating pennies would not save as much money as people think, and most Americans want to retain the penny. The government is making a wise choice in continuing to produce the penny because citizens and businesses continue to want and use it. 9 Which evidence best supports the author s claim that a majority of Americans want to keep the penny? A. Most people feel sentimental about pennies, and 71% say they stop and pick up a penny when they see one on the ground. (paragraph 3) B. A 2014 Huffington Post survey showed that 51% of Americans oppose eliminating the penny. (paragraph 3) C. The government is making a wise choice in continuing to produce the penny because citizens and businesses continue to want and use it. (paragraph 4) D. Eliminating pennies would not save as much money as people think, and most Americans want to retain the penny. (paragraph 4) 10 According to the author, how do pennies make most Americans feel? A. angry B. sentimental C. thrifty D. disappointed 11 How would eliminating pennies affect prices in America? A. Prices would be rounded up. B. Prices would be rounded down. C. Prices would increase dramatically. D. Prices would decrease dramatically. Generated On March 28, 2018, 2:49 PM PDT Page 5

Directions: Answer the following question(s) relating to the passage titled "In Defense of the Penny". 12 Which percentage of Americans want to eliminate the penny? A. 34% B. 43% C. 51% D. 71% 13 Which two words are similar in meaning to retain as it is used in this sentence? "... most Americans want to retain the penny." (paragraph 4) A. improve B. keep C. discard D. preserve E. dismiss F. enhance 14 What does the word advocate mean as it is used in this sentence? "In addition, a majority of Americans advocate keeping the penny." (paragraph 3) A. debate B. condemn C. support D. evaluate 15 For which two reasons does the author include paragraph 2 in the passage? A. to explain why nickels cost more to produce than other coins B. to suggest that the government stop paying to make pennies C. to explain how getting rid of the penny will likely raise prices D. to describe how the prices of services are set by businesses E. to explain why eliminating the penny won t save that much money 16 Which is the purpose of paragraph 3? A. to explain why some people want to get rid of pennies B. to describe how people use pennies in their lives C. to explain why people are angry about the penny D. to list the results of a survey conducted about the penny 17 Part A Which statement best describes the author s point of view in the passage? A. The government should not eliminate the penny. B. People have too strong of an attachment to the penny. C. People should not be upset with the government about the penny. D. The move to eliminate the penny is an issue without a lot of interest. Part B Which evidence from paragraph 3 best supports the answer in Part A? A. Most people feel sentimental about pennies... B. In contrast, only 34% supported eliminating the penny. C. The government should not get rid of the penny when most citizens want to keep it. D.... 43% of people would feel disappointed or angry if the government stopped making 18 Which two are the central ideas of the passage? A. Eliminating the penny would involve adjusting prices of goods. B. A majority of Americans oppose eliminating C. Penny production is too costly for the government to continue. D. Nickels are more expensive to produce than E. Eliminating the penny would save less money than people expect. Generated On March 28, 2018, 2:49 PM PDT Page 6

Directions: Answer the following question(s) relating to the passage titled "In Defense of the Penny". 19 Which two statements would be included in a summary of the passage? A. Most Americans want to keep the penny. B. The Huffington Post conducted a survey about C. Many Americans pick up pennies they find on the ground. D. Getting rid of the penny won t save that much money. E. Nickels cost more to produce than 20 Part A Which is a central idea of the passage? A. Eliminating the penny would involve adjusting prices of goods. B. Nickels are more expensive to produce than C. Penny production is too costly for the government to continue. D. A majority of Americans oppose eliminating Part B Which evidence from the passage best supports the answer in Part A? A.... over half of all Americans are opposed to getting rid of the penny. (paragraph 1) B. Supporters of this idea argue that it would save the government money because pennies cost more to make than they are worth. (paragraph 1) C. The prices of goods and services would have to be rounded to the nearest five-cent mark... (paragraph 2) D. But each nickel costs over eight cents to make close to twice its value. (paragraph 2) Stop: You have finished the assessment. Generated On March 28, 2018, 2:49 PM PDT Page 7