Comprehension Questions on Nanny State

What is the main argument made by the author in the passage?

• People should be completely free to make their own decisions.

• Soda bans are unnecessary and unfair.

• Government intervention is sometimes necessary to protect people’s well-being.

• Health decisions should only be made by doctors.

Why does the author mention the soda ban?

• To show that all laws are unfair.

• To introduce a real-life example of government regulation.

• To criticize city governments.

• To highlight the dangers of sugary drinks.

According to the author, how do Americans often feel about being told what to do?

• Proud and cooperative

• Curious and eager to learn

• Supportive and trusting

• Reflexively resistant or negative

What does the term “nanny state” refer to in the passage?

• A state run by childcare workers

• A government that makes all decisions without consulting the people

• A government that protects people by restricting some personal choices

• A society where everyone has complete freedom

What is Mill’s “harm principle”?

• People should be free to harm others if they choose.

• Governments should never interfere with personal freedom.

• Interference is only okay if someone is hurting others.

• Freedom should always be sacrificed for safety.

According to the passage, why might people make poor decisions?

• They lack morals.

• They are not intelligent.

• Their thinking is influenced by cognitive biases.

• They prefer breaking rules.

Why does the author mention Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky?

• To prove that laws must be scientific

• To show soda bans were their idea

• To support the idea that people are not always rational

• To suggest they created government regulations

What is status quo bias, as implied in the passage?

• A dislike for government laws

• A tendency to favor things as they are

• A desire to eat more unhealthy food

• A fear of taking chances

Why might some people react negatively to new laws, even when they are improvements?

• They are not aware of the laws

• They are confused by legal language

• They are affected by status quo bias

• They enjoy breaking the law

What example does the author give to support the idea of justified intervention?

• People ignoring traffic rules

• Stopping someone from crossing a broken bridge

• A teacher punishing a student

• Banning books in school