English

ENGLISH II – Cause and Effect Selections

Answer each of the following questions.  

“The Influence of Televised Violence on Children” (p. 385)

1. Do you agree or disagree with the three effects of violence on young viewers?   Provide your own examples to support your response.

2. Although most would blame the lack of supervision at home, what other factors could be responsible for such exposure?

3. What are the possible effects of our “culture of violence”?   Remember, these children will be our country’s adults in a few years.  

“My Wood” (p. 392)

1. Do you think Forrester was being serious or facetious in questioning the ownership of his property?   Explain.

2. How could his point relate to the debate of whether it is more practical to rent or to buy?

“Dreadlocked” (p. 412)

1. While Chambers imbues her dread with her life history, people always conjure up their own stereotypes of her and her dreadlocks.   What other characteristics (piercings, tattoos, clothing, etc.) attract attention (both positive and negative)?   How are these “accessories” or “embellishments” necessary to the wearer?   How might they be misinterpreted by others?

2. What are some life experiences that might trigger a “new look”?   Explain what the effects of such obvious changes may be for the wearer.

“The Trouble With Fries” (p. 417)

1. We are one of the “fattest” nations in the world.   What does our epidemic obesity across all ages say about the American culture?

2. We are practically the only nation that adheres to an 8-hour, five, six, or seven day work week, so Ray Kroc’s idea of fast food was novel and quite a convenience at the time McDonald’s was established.   Well, his idea has now backfired!   What have the consequences of fast food been?   Besides the obesity factor, what else have we sacrificed for fast food convenience?