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(9) In 1950, NAACP leaders encouraged seven-year-old Linda

Brown and several other African-American students near Topeka, Kansas, to enroll in schools close to their homes. (10) The children were refused admission because of their race, so their parents sued the Topeka Board of Education. (11) The case went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court and signaled a turning point in the fight for equality: the court finally declared segregation of public schools to be illegal. (12) Although the court’s decision was largely ignored in Southern states, Brown v. Board of Education proved that battles for equality could be won. (13) The fight, however, was far from over.

How do the sentences in the paragraph help to develop the idea that Brown v. Board of Education was a “turning point in the fight for equality”?

• They explain the differences of opinion among leaders, parents, and the Supreme Court about school segregation.

• They compare and contrast important events that occurred both

  before and after the Supreme Court’s decision about segregation

  in public schools.

• They outline the circumstances that led up to the Supreme Court’s

  decision that public schools could no longer be segregated.

• They describe the consequences that resulted when Southern states ignored the Supreme Court’s ruling about segregated schools.

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from Brown v. Board of Education

delivered by Chief Justice Earl Warren (1954)

1 In approaching this problem, we cannot turn the clock back

to 1868, when the Amendment was adopted, or even to 1896, when Plessy v. Ferguson was written. We must consider public education in the light of its full development and its present place in American life throughout the Nation. Only in this way can it be determined if segregation in public schools deprives these plaintiffs of the equal protection of the laws.

2 Today, education is perhaps the most important function of state and local governments. Compulsory school attendance laws and the great expenditures for education both demonstrate our recognition of the importance of education to our democratic society. It is required in the performance of our most basic public responsibilities, even service in the armed forces. It is the very foundation of good citizenship. Today it is a principal instrument in awakening the child to cultural values, in preparing him for later professional training, and in helping him to adjust normally

to his environment. In these days, it is doubtful that any child

may reasonably be expected to succeed in life if he is denied the opportunity of an education. Such an opportunity, where the state has undertaken to provide it, is a right which must be made available to all on equal terms.

3 We come then to the question presented: Does segregation of children in public schools solely on the basis of race, even though the physical facilities and other “tangible” factors may be equal, deprive the children of the minority group of equal educational opportunities? We believe that it does.

Read this sentence from paragraph 1.

We must consider public education in the light of . . . its

present place in American life throughout the Nation.

How does this sentence help to develop the key concept of the paragraph and clarify the reasoning of the Supreme Court members?

• It serves to emphasize the problem that Brown v. Board of

  Education of Topeka had presented to the Supreme Court.

• It points to a belief that the Supreme Court could only rely on the

  14th Amendment and Plessy v. Ferguson to rule on public schools.

• It explains that the Supreme Court considered the purpose

  of education in today’s world in their decision.

• It is meant to contrast the function of schools today with

  educational practices once followed in the 19th century.

from Brown v. Board of Education

delivered by Chief Justice Earl Warren (1954)

1 In approaching this problem, we cannot turn the clock back

to 1868, when the Amendment was adopted, or even to 1896, when Plessy v. Ferguson was written. We must consider public education in the light of its full development and its present place in American life throughout the Nation. Only in this way can it be determined if segregation in public schools deprives these plaintiffs of the equal protection of the laws.

2 Today, education is perhaps the most important function of state and local governments. Compulsory school attendance laws and the great expenditures for education both demonstrate our recognition of the importance of education to our democratic society. It is required in the performance of our most basic public responsibilities, even service in the armed forces. It is the very foundation of good citizenship. Today it is a principal instrument in awakening the child to cultural values, in preparing him for later professional training, and in helping him to adjust normally

to his environment. In these days, it is doubtful that any child

may reasonably be expected to succeed in life if he is denied the opportunity of an education. Such an opportunity, where the state has undertaken to provide it, is a right which must be made available to all on equal terms.

3 We come then to the question presented: Does segregation of children in public schools solely on the basis of race, even though the physical facilities and other “tangible” factors may be equal, deprive the children of the minority group of equal educational opportunities? We believe that it does.

Which statement best expresses the key concept in paragraph 2?

• Education plays a vital role in people becoming good citizens.

• A good education is essential both for individuals and for society.

• Local governments spend a great deal of money on education.

• People need an education to perform many basic public services.

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White House Deception by Jose Gonzales

History may remember Edith Wilson as the United States’ first

female president, but what it fails to mention is the elaborate

deception she orchestrated. When her husband, President Wilson,

suffered a serious stroke, Edith swooped in to “help.” She

purposefully misled Congress about the seriousness of his

condition. Then she used the opportunity to exercise head-of-state

powers, such as signing official orders and writing decrees in her

own hand. History must not look favorably upon this hijacking

of the government. To speak with the president’s voice is, at

best, dishonest.

Which sentence best expresses the author’s point of view?

• Edith Wilson did the right thing in exercising her husband’s

  presidential powers.

• Edith Wilson is rightly remembered as the first female president of

  the United States.

• Edith Wilson deserves to be praised for serving her country.

• Edith Wilson should not be honored by history for her deception.

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American Flag Heroine by Sylvia Edmund

1 The tale of Betsy Ross sewing the first American flag is a

cherished part of the lore of the American Revolution. According

to both oral and written tradition, George Washington and

members of the newly formed Continental Congress approached

Ross with a rough sketch of a flag that would carry their armies

into battle against the British. After some redesigning and a few

contributions of her own, Ross sat in her rocking chair and

sewed together the new American flag. It had alternating red and

white stripes and 13 five-point stars for the original 13 colonies.

2 Recently, however, some modern flag historians have been

trying to discredit this remarkable story. They would have us

believe that it is nothing more than elaborate fiction. As “proof,”

they point to the fact that William Canby, Ross’s grandson, didn’t

begin telling the story until 1870. They suggest he did this as a

way of venerating his lineage. The time frame makes sense,

however, when you realize that at the time, the country was

gathering stories for the upcoming 1876 Centennial. The flag

historians also maintain that they’ve found no evidence that a

meeting between Ross and Washington took place, or that

they were even acquainted. Worse, they claim that there is no

evidence to suggest that Ross designed, contributed to, or was

even involved in the creation of the first American flag. However,

they have failed to provide any evidence to the contrary.

3 Anyone who loves what our country stands for should ignore

these pointless attacks on an inspiring bit of our history. What’s

important is the weight this 200-year-old tale still carries. It’s

a tale Americans have told for generations. Betsy Ross was a

female role model at a time when men fought the wars and

received all the glory. The story of her contributions to the birth

of our country should not be challenged or even questioned.

Which sentence best expresses the author’s point of view toward the

story of Betsy Ross?

• Modern flag historians choose to ignore important facts about

  Betsy Ross’s life.

• Betsy Ross was an inspirational woman and her story should not

  be questioned.

• It is a myth that the Continental Congress asked Betsy Ross to sew

  the first American flag.

• William Canby fabricated his grandmother’s story in 1870 for the

  Centennial celebration.

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American Flag Heroine by Sylvia Edmund

1 The tale of Betsy Ross sewing the first American flag is a

cherished part of the lore of the American Revolution. According

to both oral and written tradition, George Washington and

members of the newly formed Continental Congress approached

Ross with a rough sketch of a flag that would carry their armies

into battle against the British. After some redesigning and a few

contributions of her own, Ross sat in her rocking chair and

sewed together the new American flag. It had alternating red and

white stripes and 13 five-point stars for the original 13 colonies.

2 Recently, however, some modern flag historians have been

trying to discredit this remarkable story. They would have us

believe that it is nothing more than elaborate fiction. As “proof,”

they point to the fact that William Canby, Ross’s grandson, didn’t

begin telling the story until 1870. They suggest he did this as a

way of venerating his lineage. The time frame makes sense,

however, when you realize that at the time, the country was

gathering stories for the upcoming 1876 Centennial. The flag

historians also maintain that they’ve found no evidence that a

meeting between Ross and Washington took place, or that

they were even acquainted. Worse, they claim that there is no

evidence to suggest that Ross designed, contributed to, or was

even involved in the creation of the first American flag. However,

they have failed to provide any evidence to the contrary.

3 Anyone who loves what our country stands for should ignore

these pointless attacks on an inspiring bit of our history. What’s

important is the weight this 200-year-old tale still carries. It’s

a tale Americans have told for generations. Betsy Ross was a

female role model at a time when men fought the wars and

received all the glory. The story of her contributions to the birth

of our country should not be challenged or even questioned.

What text evidence best supports your inference about the author’s

point of view?

• Flag historians believe that Ross and Washington never even met.

• Ross’s grandson told her story in order to celebrate his heritage.

• Betsy Ross made many contributions to the design of the flag.

• Americans still love to tell the Betsy Ross story 200 years later.

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“Recycling isn’t worth the effort.” It is easy to think this way

since the benefits to the individual are hard to see, but this

statement couldn’t be further from the truth. Using recycled

materials is generally cheaper for manufacturers, which helps keep

the cost of goods down for individuals. Recycling reduces air and

water pollution and actually uses three times less energy than other

forms of waste disposal. It preserves natural resources, many of

which cannot be replaced, for future generations. So the next time

you’re tempted to throw a plastic bottle in the trash, think again.

Just a little extra effort can produce a lot of good for all Americans.

Which statement best reflects the author’s response to the conflicting

point of view in the paragraph?

• Recycling is not worth the extra time and effort it takes.

• Most people don’t readily understand how recycling can be of

  benefit to them.

• Recycling is a cheaper, more efficient way to dispose of waste.

• Most manufacturers are looking for simple ways to reduce their costs by recycling plastics.

Realistic Environmentalism

by Samantha Ford

1 There is a belief in the environmental movement that saving

the planet means preventing or reversing the effects that humans

have on the natural world. If you don’t completely accept this

ideal, you are obviously not a good environmentalist. In fact, you

might not be an environmentalist at all! While this all-or-nothing

attitude might achieve some victories for the planet, it ultimately

undermines the goals of the environmental movement.

2 The bottom line is that this limiting, purist definition of

environmentalism is simply not realistic. We humans are now

the largest force for environmental change on the planet, and we

must acknowledge that reality. The choice isn’t between changing

or not changing our environment. Instead, our choices lie in how

we change it. Recognizing this gives us an opportunity to make

our planet the best that it can be.

3 This means that, instead of branding them as enemies, we can

use economic and technological development as tools for saving

the environment. If, as many scientists believe, burning fossil

fuels is driving climate change, it becomes clear that we must

develop cleaner technologies to power our lives. If we want to

preserve wild spaces, we must find practical, more efficient ways

for people to live and food to be grown in limited spaces. The

good news is that we have more advanced tools and resources

than ever before to help us solve these problems.

4 Of course, identifying possible solutions to problems is easier

than working to solve them. Hard choices will need to be made

now and in the future, choices some are not willing to consider.

The only way to be true environmentalists, however, is to

recognize our power to affect the planet and thus our responsibility to it.

What is the author’s point of view about the topic of environmentalism

in this editorial?

• It must be realistic to be effective.

• There is no need for environmentalism.

• Environmental problems have simple solutions.

• People who compromise aren’t true environmentalists.

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Realistic Environmentalism

by Samantha Ford

1 There is a belief in the environmental movement that saving

the planet means preventing or reversing the effects that humans

have on the natural world. If you don’t completely accept this

ideal, you are obviously not a good environmentalist. In fact, you

might not be an environmentalist at all! While this all-or-nothing

attitude might achieve some victories for the planet, it ultimately

undermines the goals of the environmental movement.

2 The bottom line is that this limiting, purist definition of

environmentalism is simply not realistic. We humans are now

the largest force for environmental change on the planet, and we

must acknowledge that reality. The choice isn’t between changing

or not changing our environment. Instead, our choices lie in how

we change it. Recognizing this gives us an opportunity to make

our planet the best that it can be.

3 This means that, instead of branding them as enemies, we can

use economic and technological development as tools for saving

the environment. If, as many scientists believe, burning fossil

fuels is driving climate change, it becomes clear that we must

develop cleaner technologies to power our lives. If we want to

preserve wild spaces, we must find practical, more efficient ways

for people to live and food to be grown in limited spaces. The

good news is that we have more advanced tools and resources

than ever before to help us solve these problems.

4 Of course, identifying possible solutions to problems is easier

than working to solve them. Hard choices will need to be made

now and in the future, choices some are not willing to consider.

The only way to be true environmentalists, however, is to

recognize our power to affect the planet and thus our responsibility to it.

Which statement best describes the point of view that conflicts with

the author’s?

• Environmentalists can help us decide on the best ways to change

  the planet.

• Many scientists believe we need to find cleaner energy sources

  that will power our lives.

• We must reverse the changes that humans have made to the

  natural world.

• People with advanced tools and resources can help solve

  environmental problems.