Name _______________________________________ Date _____________________

COPY MASTER

DOING NOTHING IS SOMETHING

Question Support: Critical Analysis

For questions 1–4, see page 583 of the Pupil Edition.

Directions: Answer each question.

5. Analyze an Argument Quindlen claims that children need downtime in the summer. Why does she think so? __________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

6. Distinguish Fact from Opinion Decide which statement is a fact and which is an opinion. Circle the correct word.

". . .in the last 20 years American kids have fact opinion

lost about four unstructured hours a week."

"I don't believe you can write poetry, or compose fact opinion

music, or become an actor without downtime. . ."

7. Examine Support Read Victor Hugo's quote in lines 173–175. What is he saying about thinking? __________________________________________________________

How does that match what Quindlen says about the need for downtime in the summer?

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8. Make Judgments Many children today go to camps and classes in the summer. Quindlen does not believe that these are really leisure activities. Underline one of the words in parentheses and complete the following sentence.

I (agree/disagree) with Quindlen because

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________.

9. Synthesize Concepts What is important to Quindlen? _________________________

________________________________________________________________________

How does this make her different from other American parents? ___________________

________________________________________________________________________

10. Evaluate an Argument Did Quindlen make you believe that she was right? Why or why not? Use words from the essay to support your ideas. ________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

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Resource Manager Unit 6 35


Answer Key

Doing Nothing Is Something

Question Support, page 35

Responses will vary. Possible answers are given.

5. They need time to think and be creative on their own.

6. fact, opinion

7. Hugo says that thinking is important work. Quindlen claims that downtime is important for thinking.

8. Students may agree with Quindlen because they think such activities are too structured. Others may disagree because they find such activities enjoyable.

9. Freedom and creativity are important to her. Time and work are important to other parents.

10. Opinions will vary but should be accompanied by textual support.