Comprehension Critical Analysis

After Reading
Comprehension
1. Recall What were Quindlen’s summers like when she was a child?
2. Recall What does she believe many children lack today?
3. Recall What change does Quindlen propose in her essay?
4. Clarify What does the word nothing mean in the essay’s title?
Critical Analysis
5. Analyze an Argument Review the chart you created as you read.
What are two reasons Quindlen provides to support her claim?
6. Distinguish Fact from Opinion Identify whether each statement listed
in the chart is a fact or an opinion. Use a chart like the one shown to
record your answers.
Statement
Fact or Opinion?
“I don’t believe you can write
poetry, or compose music,
or become an actor without
downtime. . . .” (lines 23–26)
“. . . in the last 20 years American
kids have lost about four
unstructured hours a week.”
(lines 78–80)
“I mourn hanging out in the
backyard.” (lines 140–141)
7. Examine Support How does the Victor Hugo quotation in lines 173–175
support Quindlen’s claim?
8. Make Judgments Quindlen notes that children today are enrolled in soccer
leagues, acting classes, music camps, and sports camps—pursuits that may
be quite enjoyable. Explain whether you agree with her that such activities
do not qualify as leisure.
9. Synthesize Concepts What does the essay suggest about our society’s values?
Cite evidence in your response.
10. Evaluate an Argument How effective is Quindlen’s argument in this essay?
Support your opinion with evidence from the text.
doing nothing is something
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