The Socratic Method
It’s good that we can all choose what kinds of mass media to use. We can enjoy news programs, movies, songs, and other media that we like. But what if someone wants to change something you like? What if they want to ban it? What if you disagree with things other people like? How would you debate these issues?
In ancient Greece, there was an intelligent philosopher named Socrates. He thought about the best ways to debate ideas. He created a system of discussion called the Socratic method. It’s one of the best ways to debate an idea. It’s done by asking and answering challenging questions about an idea. This helps us to understand why people have certain ideas.

Although events and people can be used as examples while having a debate, the discussion should always be focused on the main idea that’s being debated. “I cannot teach anybody anything; I can only make them think.” Socrates

People can confirm or change their beliefs after a rigorous debate. This is useful for questions that don’t have a correct answer. Some questions have a definite, correct answer. For example, what is one plus one? The correct answer is two. That’s not debatable. These questions usually come from science and math.

However, social questions often don’t have a correct answer. They only have better and worse answers. For example, what is appropriate music for children? It’s up to people to think, discuss, debate, and decide for themselves. The Socratic method is one of the best ways to do that.

What is the main idea of the passage?

• How to enjoy mass media

• How to ban things you dislike

• The history of ancient Greece

• The importance of asking questions in debates

In ancient Greece, there was an intelligent philosopher named Socrates. He thought about the best ways to debate ideas. He created a system of discussion called the Socratic method. It’s one of the best ways to debate an idea. It’s done by asking and answering challenging questions about an idea. This helps us to understand why people have certain ideas.

Who was Socrates?

• A famous actor

• An intelligent philosopher

• A music teacher

• A scientist from Rome

Although events and people can be used as examples while having a debate, the discussion should always be focused on the main idea that’s being debated. “I cannot teach anybody anything; I can only make them think.” Socrates
People can confirm or change their beliefs after a rigorous debate. This is useful for questions that don’t have a correct answer. Some questions have a definite, correct answer. For example, what is one plus one? The correct answer is two. That’s not debatable. These questions usually come from science and math.

What does the Socratic method involve?

• Watching movies and songs

• Giving people orders

• Asking and answering challenging questions

• Writing essays about history

However, social questions often don’t have a correct answer. They only have better and worse answers. For example, what is appropriate music for children? It’s up to people to think, discuss, debate, and decide for themselves. The Socratic method is one of the best ways to do that.

why is the Socratic method useful?

• It helps people think for themselves

• It forces people to agree with you

• It gives only one correct answer

• It bans incorrect opinions

What kind of questions usually don’t have a definite correct answer?

• Science questions

• Math questions

• Social questions

• History questions

What does the word “ban” in the passage mean?

• To enjoy something

• To allow something

• To change something

• To stop or forbid something

Which of the following is an example of a definite correct answer?

• What is appropriate music for children?

• What is one plus one?

• What do you think about movies?

• How should we debate ideas?

What is the quote from Socrates in the passage?

• I cannot teach anybody anything; I can only make them think.

• Knowledge is power.

• Everyone must agree with me.

• Science has all the answers.

What is the purpose of using events and people as examples in debates?

• To distract from the topic

• To focus the discussion on the main idea

• To confuse the audience

• To avoid answering questions

Although events and people can be used as examples while having a debate, the discussion should always be focused on the main idea that’s being debated. “I cannot teach anybody anything; I can only make them think.” Socrates

People can confirm or change their beliefs after a rigorous debate. This is useful for questions that don’t have a correct answer. Some questions have a definite, correct answer. For example, what is one plus one? The correct answer is two. That’s not debatable. These questions usually come from science and math.

However, social questions often don’t have a correct answer. They only have better and worse answers. For example, what is appropriate music for children? It’s up to people to think, discuss, debate, and decide for themselves. The Socratic method is one of the best ways to do that.

what is up to people to decide for themselves?

• The answers to math problems

• The best historical facts

• What music is appropriate for children

• What movies are shown in theaters