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 583
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