Analyzing Media Coverage: Abby Sunderland

Why did Abby Sunderland head out on her voyage?

• A. Abby wanted to be the youngest person ever to sail around the world solo.

• B. Abby was trying to make the fastest solo voyage around the world.

• C. Abby wanted to complete a voyage that her brother Zac had not been able to complete.

• D. Abby wanted to prove to her parents that she was as good a sailor as her brother.

How did Abby’s voyage end?

• A. Abby successfully sailed around the world alone.

• B. Abby’s parents ordered her to stop the voyage.

• C. Abby’s boat sank just a day after she began her voyage.

• D. Abby had to be rescued in a remote spot in the Indian Ocean.

What kind of reaction did Abby’s voyage cause?

• Other teenaged girls around the world followed in Abby’s footsteps.

• Critics debated the wisdom of a young sailor making such a dangerous trip.

• Many sailing experts praised Abby’s parents for letting her go on the voyage.

• Abby was universally acclaimed as a hero.

What is the author’s purpose of the news article?

• to share an opinion about Abby’s voyage

• to tell why Abby wanted to sail around the world

• to provide details about Abby’s rescue and the debate that followed

• to share interviews with Abby’s parents

Which words best describe how Abby’s father felt after her rescue?

• relieved and proud

• frustrated and sad

• relieved and embarrassed

• sad and guilty

How did the writer of the editorial feel when she thought about Abby bobbing alone in the Indian Ocean?

• inspired

• sad

• hopeful

• curious

What is the main opinion of the author of the editorial about Abby’s voyage?

• A. Abby’s parents were very brave to let her go.

• B. Abby’s parents should have supported her more.

• C. Abby’s parents were foolish to let her risk her life.

• D. Abby’s parents should feel proud of her accomplishment.

How does the author of the editorial address the counterargument that parenthood requires some tolerance of risk?

• She claims that risk is necessary to allow children to mature.

• She claims that parents need to help children evaluate risk.

• She claims that parents should never allow children to take risks.

• She claims that taking risks is fine if parents take the risks with their children.

In the TV news interview, how did Abby’s brother Zac say he felt when he heard that she was in trouble in the Indian Ocean?

• He was afraid for her life.

• He was surprised that she ran into trouble in that part of the Indian Ocean.

• He was concerned but confident that she had the skills to survive.

• He was certain she would not be able to survive.

What information does the TV news interview provide that the news article and the editorial cannot?

• The news interview lets you hear Abby tell her reasons for going on her voyage.

• The news interview shares critics’ opinions in their own words.

• The news interview shows Abby’s sailing skills through a video.

• The news interview lets you hear her parents’ reasons in their own words.