Persuasive Paired Passage

Use "Don't Back the Ban" to answer questions 1-4.

Read the sentences from paragraph 2 of the passage.

Rubbernecking...triples your risk of being in a crash. Reaching for a child or other moving object increases the risk nine times. However, no one is rushing to make laws to ban looking at accidents or to stop parenting while driving.

Why is this a poor argument against banning cell phone use while driving?

• Mentioning one activity that triples risk and one that increases risk nine times in confusing.

• The fact that laws cannot prevent all dangers is weak reasoning for failing to regulate some dangers.

• Comparing a child to another moving object in a car shows a lack of understanding of human life.

• Since rubbernecking occurs less often than cell phone use by drivers, it is not logical to compare these two activities.

Which is the most accurate summary of the last paragraph of the passage?

• Instead of just passing laws banning cell phone use while driving, governments should pass laws making all forms of distracted driving illegal.

• Educating drivers about the dangers of cell phone use while driving will be more effective than making it illegal for drivers to use their cell phones.

• Studies claiming that it is dangerous to use cell phones while driving are full of errors; more investigation of the subject must be undertaken before new policies are created.

• Because drivers are human and naturally make mistakes, it is a waste of time and money to try to educate them about the fact that it is dangerous to drive while distracted.

Read the sentence from paragraph 4 of the passage.

Explain how it increases their chance of having an accident and how it affects their reaction time.

Which word could be used in place of reaction?

• Effect

• Emotion

• Resistance

• Response

Which information in paragraph 4 of the passage weakens Stephen Vasquez's suggestion that cell phones have not increased motor vehicle deaths?

• Stating that it is impossible to make driving a distraction-free activity.

• Stating that cell phone use increases a driver's chances of an accident.

• Stating that items such as fast food and songs takes people's eyes off the road.

• Stating that police have more important tasks than preventing cell phone use in the car.

Use "Don't Dial and Drive" to answer questions 5-8.

How does Jodi James structure her first paragraph?

• She describes a problem and then proposes a solution.

• She cites a common point of view and then contradicts it with facts.

• She describes an existing situation and then makes a reasonable prediction.

• She tells her own personal story and then relates it to other people's experiences.

From the information in the passage, the reader can assume that-

• eating while driving does not distract the driver from the road

• listening to music while driving does not increase the risk of an accident

• driving while distracted causes a great danger to both passengers and drivers alike.

• talking to passengers while driving slows a driver's reaction time by less than 18 percent

From Jodi James's argument, the reader can assume that she has a strong belief in the-

• ability of technology to improve driving

• individual's responsibility to limit risk to others

• ability of technology to improve communication

• individual's right to act without government interference

What does Jodi James fail to do in her argument?

• Cite statistics

• Name her sources of information

• Acknowledge the opposing viewpoint

• Provide concrete examples of general issues

Use both "Don't Back the Ban"and "Don't Dial and Drive" to answer questions 9-11.

With which statement below would Jodi James agree and Stephen Vasquez disagree?

• Safe driving requires focus and concentration on the road.

• Laws against cell phone use by drivers can be difficult to enforce.

• Cell phone use by drivers is riskier than other distracting activities.

• Sometimes people receive important phone calls while they are driving.

With which idea below would both authors agree?

• The best way to cut down cell phone use by drivers is to educate drivers.

• The real problem with drivers using cell phones in the car is that they distract the driver.

• If you get lost on the highway, it makes sense to call someone to talk you through the directions as you drive.

• If you see a reckless driver while you are driving, you should immediately use your cell phone to notify the Highway Patrol.