8th grade second semester final

Read the following excerpt from the passage, then choose the correct answers to questions 1 and 2. Excerpt from “Censorship” Radio has been around for more than 100 years, and television has been in the homes of Americans for more than 70 years. Both are “broadcast” over the airwaves, and both are regulated by the federal government (unless you have cable or satellite). The FCC, the Federal Communications Commission, was established in the 1930s to protect the interest of the people. The government was granted the ability to censor what is heard and seen. Since the 1950s, the FCC has prohibited, or restricted, the use of inappropriate material. In other words, it has censored what you see on TV and hear on the radio. This has not changed in 60 years. What has changed, however, is the interpretation of what is inappropriate. Is it inappropriate to talk about pregnancy? In the 1950s, the word pregnant was prohibited on the sitcom I Love Lucy. Is it inappropriate to show a woman’s belly button? In the 1960s, I Dream of Jeannie challenged the standards by showing the main character in a bikini top. However, the actress was not permitted to show her belly button. Is it inappropriate to wear a low-cut blouse or show a midriff? In the 1960s, actresses on Gilligan’s Island pushed the envelope by doing one or the other, but never both at the same time. 1. What is censorship?

• the use of offensive material on TV and the radio

• the changing laws that control what is shown on TV

• the lack of control over cable and satellite TV

• the restriction of certain material on TV and the radio

What is one difference between TV in the 1950s and TV today?

• TVs in the 1950s were mostly black and white, while today they are mostly color.

• TVs in the 1950s had internet access, while today they do not.

• TVs today are only available in black and white, while the 1950s had color TVs.

• TVs in the 1950s were larger and thinner than today's TVs.

Read the following title, then choose the correct answer. "The History of Television" The author probably wrote this article to.

• persuade readers to watch TV

• inform readers about TV

• explain how TVs are made

• describe her favorite TV show

Read the text, then choose the correct answer. Many people object to censorship. They believe in the right to freedom of speech. But does freedom of speech give you the right to say anything you want at any time? Courts have ruled that you cannot say things that put other people in danger. For example, if you yell “fire” in a crowded theater where there is no real fire, you might cause harm as people run for the exits. There is usually nothing inappropriate about the word “fire.” Nevertheless, the results would be dangerous in a place with a lot of people. There are some limits on freedom of speech. Public safety is one measure of what is appropriate. Courts have ruled that “yelling fire in a crowded theater” is inappropriate. This example shows that.

• There are no limits on freedom of speech.

• Freedom of speech is absolute.

• There are some limits on freedom of speech for public safety.

• Censorship is always wrong.

People are becoming television zombies. They come home from work and instead of catching up with their family members, they sit in front of the TV for hours. Children’s minds are becoming warped from the violent shows they watch. Adults’ minds are twisted by the bizarre reality shows. If those people on TV are supposed to portray reality, I want no part of it!

• Reality shows are a good learning tool.

• People watch too much television.

• Children should be allowed to watch more TV.

• The author is tired of reality.

A thermostat regulates the temperature. In other words, it.

• locates the temperature

• controls the temperature

• measures the temperature

• stops the temperature

You are watching a version of your favorite TV show. It has Spanish captions. What makes it a version?

• It has Spanish captions.

• You can watch it.

• It is on TV.

• You like it.

The students were excluded from the assembly because they had been pushing each other in the hall.

• included

• admitted

• banned

• group

I found a note that was full of coarse language. What kind of language was in the note?

Choose the correct subject pronoun to replace the underlined noun in the following sentence. Dad mowed the lawn this morning.

• It

• She

• He

• They