4
Shane is a seventh grade boy who has written a paper on the curfew
controversy. As part of a peer editing assignment, he wants you to read
his paper. After you read Shane's paper, think about the suggestions
you woald make to help him correct and improve it. Then answer the
m ultiple-choice questions that follow.
Curfews- A Viable Solution?
(1) Jamila Davis is a young lady who exemplifies the very best of
america's younger citizens. (2) She is president of her school's debate
team, and a consistent honor roll student at her local high school. (3) She
is a consistent volunteer for worthy charities and her parents' pride and
joy. (4) So why was such a wonderful young lady hauled off to a Dallas
jail? (5) She had vioiated a new curfew ordinance adopted by the ciry
council. (6) Jamila was a victim of an increasing trend to find a quick
relief for our nation's growing criminal activity.
(7) The primary reason why most communify's are adopting curfews
is the imminent reduction of crime. (8) If America's young people are
home, they are obviously not out vandalizing property, under the
supervision of their parents. (9) They are not out mugging the elderly,
destroying property, and committing crimes. (10) So parents no longer
have to worry about there children out driving with friends or getting
involved in sexual situations they may not yet be ready for. (i 1) Our
small town, a suburb of Dallas Texas, went through a rash of vandalism
and burglaries in the mid 90's. (12) In 1996 the town council passing an
ordinance requiring all citizens younger than 18 to be off the streets by
11:00 p.m. (13) This curfew was extended on weekend hours and
exceptions were made for work, school, and church activities. (14) We
saw a major reduction in burglaries and vandalism stopped altogether!
(15) Teens argue that there are many iegitimate reasons for a teen to
be out \ate atnight. (16) Amerisa's young people most often work in the
service industry - fast food. (17) These popuiar restaurants usually have
extended hours. (18) There is no way for a person to work the late shift
and get home without breaking curfew. (19) Our youngel generation
should not have to forfeit their jobs because of curfews.
(20) Another reason why curfews are unacceptable is because they
target an entire generation for the sins of the few. (21) Only a few
misguided teens are creating the havoc in our cities. (22) It was wholiy
unfair to blame everyone for incidents they didn't commit. (23) Most
teens are responsible, ethical people and deserve to be ffeated as such.
Copyright 2002by Michael Cornelius
Stephens
19
The curfew controversy is a battle that will continue to be fought
in rural and urban areas alike for many years to come. (25) we may not
agree on curfews, but we can be assured that this issue will be a divisive
one across our counffv.
Q$
1. What change, if any, should be made in sentence
A change imminent to imminant
7?
B change are to is
C change community's to communities
D Make no chanse
2. What change, if
any, should be made in sentence I 1?
A add a comma after Dallas
B change burglaries to burglary's
C change went to goes
D Make no change
3. What sentence
could be added after sentence 14 to
support the ideas in the second paragraph?
A
B
C
D
4.
So you can see that curfews didn't help our town much.
Needless to say, our city council found curfews to be an
effective deterrent to crime.
My Aunt Sarah was mugged by curfew vioiators as she returned
home from church.
Besides, it's the parents' responsibiliry to supervise their
children - not the police.
What is the best way to revise sentence
12?
A In 1996 the town council
passed an ordinance requiring all
citizens younger than 18 to be off the streets by I 1 :00 p.m.
B In 1996 the town council passed an ordinance; Requiring all
citizens younger than 18 to be off the streets by I 1:00 p.m.
C In 1996 the ordinance required citizens younger than 18 to be
off the streets, passed by a ciry ordinance.
D Younger people under 18 were required to be off the streets by
1 l:00 p.m.; besides the town council passed a city ordinance.
Copyright 2002by Michael Cornelius
Stephens
tO
5. Which sentence
could be added to the beginning of paragraph
as an effective fransition?
3
A Curfews stir up a great deal of controversy.
B Which view of curfews do you support?
C
The idea of curfews restrictins America's freedom makes mv
sister very angry.
D Opposers of city curfews, however, have valid views as well.
6. What change, if any, should be made in sentence 1?
A
B
C
D
add a comma after lady
change america's to America's
change citizens to citazens
Make no change
change, if any, should be made in sentence 10?
change there to their
change involved to involving
change friends to friend's
Make no chanse
7. What
A
B
C
D
8. What is the best way, if necessary, to revise sentence 8?
A If young people are home under the supervision of their
B
C
D
parents. They are obviously not out vandalizingproperfy.
If America's young people are home under the supervision
of their parents, they are obviously not out vandalizing
properfy.
Young people are not out vandahzingproperfy, which are they
are home under parental supervision.
No revision is needed.
9. What change, if any, should be made in sentence 25?
A change curfews to curfew's
B
C
D
change country to Country
change divisive to devisive
Make no chanse
Copyright 2002by Michael Cornelius Stephens
2l
10.What change, if any, should be made in sentence 22?
A change wholly to holy
B change didn't to did not
C change was to is
D Make no chanse
Copyright 2002by Michael Cornelius Stephens