50 POINTS + bRAINLIST IF ALL ARE ANSWERED 1. Read the excerpts from "opening statements from John F. Kennedy and Richard M. Nixon First Televised Debate."

Kennedy: Therefore, I think the question before the American people is: Are we doing as much as we can do? Are we as strong as we should be? Are we as strong as we must be if we're going to maintain our independence, and if we're going to maintain and hold out the hand of friendship to those who look to us for assistance, to those who look to us for survival? I should make it very clear that I do not think we're doing enough, that I am not satisfied as an American with the progress that we're making.

Nixon: Let's look at the record. Is the United States standing still? Is it true that this Administration, as Senator Kennedy has charged, has been an Administration of retreat, of defeat, of stagnation? . . . let's put it in terms of the average family. What has happened to you? We find that your wages have gone up five times as much in the Eisenhower Administration as they did in the Truman Administration. . . . Now, this is not standing still.

Which statement best compares or contrasts Nixon's and Kennedy's positions on the average American's economic position?

Kennedy thinks that the government is doing as much as it can for most Americans, while Nixon argues that the government should do even more.

Kennedy believes that too many Americans rely on government handouts, while Nixon thinks that fewer and fewer people are doing so.

Kennedy believes that friendship is the key to economic success, while Nixon thinks economic success depends on hard work.

Kennedy believes that economic progress for most Americans has been slow, while Nixon believes good progress has been made.

2. Read this sentence from the Newsela article "Dying of Hunger: What Is a Famine?"

Sacco said that the one thing these places all share is a prolonged conflict, such as a war.

How does this sentence help develop one of the key concepts in “Dying of Hunger”?

It highlights the connection between war and famine.

It suggests that virtually all wars are accompanied by periods of famine.

It makes the assumption that famine is always a result of human actions.

It implies that only poor, war-torn countries are likely to suffer from famine.

3.

Item 3
Refer to the Newsela article "The Relationship between Hunger and War."

In the article, what is the author’s viewpoint on war and famine?

Wars often cause famine and can make existing famine worse.

Wars are usually followed by periods of famine, so eliminating war will end famine.

War and famine are intertwined problems, so they must be addressed at the same time.

Famine conditions may improve during wartime because food prices decrease.

5. Which strategy would be most useful in determining an appropriate topic for an argument?

Think of topics that will provide a lot of information and material, such as global warming.

Watch reliable news programs to identify current issues you feel strongly about.

Make a list of your favorite books and movies, and then focus on the one you like best.

Flip through an encyclopedia until you find a topic that interests you.