Censorship

Part A: Which statement best identifies the central idea of the text?

• The article presents a complicated debate, in which censoring content is neither clearly right or wrong.

• All forms of censorship identified in the articles are violations of human rights and have no benefits.

• The censorship discussed in the article is only employed when necessary and for the benefit of the public.

• It would be great to live in a world where information didn’t need to be censored, but that’s simply impossible.

Part B: Which detail best supports the answer to Part A?

• “A government wants to protect its citizens” (Paragraph 3)

• “When a government passes a law restricting what people or organizations can say, it is called censorship.” (Paragraph 1)

• “Censorship is an extremely controversial issue, and each country usually has its own reasons for passing these laws.” (Paragraph 2)

• “Suppressing opposing views can also hold back social progress and restrict people’s ability to learn more about the world and other people.” (Paragraph 12)

How does the author develop the idea that governments can censor anything?

• The author lists examples that support why censorship is wrong.

• The author gives reasons why a government would restrict speech.

• The author discusses the pros and cons to government censorship.

• The author provides her personal experiences with government censorship.

Which detail from the passage most strongly supports the idea that censorship has benefits?

• “Censorship does have some benefits.” (Paragraph 11)

• “It is very common for families to have rules about what can or cannot be said at home, but as it turns out, governments do the very same thing.” (Paragraph 1)

• “Inspectors from the party monitored journalists, writers, and artists to ensure they said nothing negative about the party or the Soviet Union itself.” (Paragraph 7)

• “For example, while the United States cannot censor hate speech because it is protected as “free speech” under the First Amendment, it can censor threatening language that could provoke violence.” (Paragraph 3)

Part A: Which of the following types of censorship are most similar in their purpose? Select three answers. 

• Religious Censorship

• Moral Censorship

• Corporate Censorship

• Political Censorship

• Military Censorship

Part B:  What is the connection between the types of censorship that were identified in Part A? 

• Their primary purpose is to protect the people they serve.

• Their primary purpose is to preserve the ruling organization

• Their primary purpose is to maintain an individual’s freedoms

• Their primary purpose is to guard the nation against enemy countries

How does the author make distinctions between the types of censorship that are beneficial and the types of censorship that are oppressive?

• The author lists types of censorship and gives her opinion about each type

• The author explicitly states when a specific type of censorship is oppressive.

• The author explicitly states when she thinks a specific type of censorship is beneficial.

• The author gives specific examples that show how a group or individual was impacted by censorship.

Which statement best illustrates an objective summary of the text?

• Censorship is a means of restricting communication and can be used by the government for many reasons. Censorship may be used to protect citizens, restrict opposing ideas or ideologies, or protect personal interests. There are both benefits and downsides to a government using censorship.

• Censorship is a means of restricting communication and can be used by the government for many reasons. Censorship may be used to protect citizens, restrict opposing ideas or ideologies, or protect personal interests. There are both benefits and downsides to government using censorship and should only be used in certain circumstances on a case by case basis.

• Censorship is a means of restricting communication and can be used by the government for many reasons. Censorship may be used to protect citizens, restrict opposing ideas or ideologies, or protect personal interests. Although some of those reasons limit individuals’ free speech, it does more good than harm since it protects citizens. There are both benefits and downsides to a government using censorship.

• Censorship is a means of restricting communication and can be used by the government for many reasons. There are many types of censorship including moral, military, political, religious, and corporate censorship. Moral and military censorship protect citizens. Political and religious censorship oppress citizens. Corporate censorship tries to protect corporations. There are both benefits and downsides to a government using censorship.