1-8
How old was Olivia when she caught the measles, and how long after her death did Dahl wait to write this letter?
Olivia was seven years old when she caught measles, and Dahl wrote the letter 24 years after her death.
According to paragraph 1, what was the first physical sign Dahl noticed that indicated Olivia was becoming seriously ill?
Dahl noticed that Olivia’s fingers and her mind were not working together, and she could not make the pipe-cleaner animal
What is the specific name of the "deadly reaction" Olivia developed from the measles?
She developed measles encephalitis.
In paragraph 7, which country does Dahl use as an example of a place where measles has been "virtually wiped out"?
Dahl uses America as the example.
According to paragraph 8, how many cases of measles were occurring in Britain every year at the time of this letter?
There were about 100,000 cases of measles each year in Britain.
What specific rhetorical device does Dahl use when he contrasts “nothing the doctors could do” with “something that parents can do”?
Dahl uses contrast and parallelism to emphasize helplessness in the past versus parental responsibility and action in the present.
How does he use his status as a famous author and a grieving parent to build trust?
Dahl builds trust by sharing his personal experience as a grieving father, showing he speaks from real loss rather than theory.
How does the story of the “coloured pipe-cleaners” affect the reader?
The scene creates strong emotional impact, making Olivia seem innocent and relatable, which increases sympathy and sadness
Why compare a vaccine to a “chocolate bar”?
Dahl compares the million-to-one chance of vaccine harm to choking on a chocolate bar to logically show the vaccine is extremely safe.
Why does the author use the word “crime” in paragraph 12 to describe refusing immunization? What does this suggest about parental duty?
Dahl uses the word “crime” to show he believes refusing vaccination is morally irresponsible and endangers not only one child but the entire community.
Mandatory Vaccination Is Not the Answer to Measles” by Dr. Bob Sears
According to the American Medical Association, what is “informed consent”?
Informed consent is a patient’s right to make their own medical decisions after being fully informed.
How many severe vaccine reactions are reported to the CDC each year, according to Sears?
Sears claims about 2,000 severe reactions are reported each year.
What is the total dollar amount Sears says has been paid to vaccine injury victims?
Sears states over $3 billion has been paid out.
Which three diseases does Sears say are more dangerous than measles?
The plague, polio, and Ebola.
How many measles cases were reported nationwide as of February 17, 2015?
There were 141 cases nationwide.
What is Sears’s main goal, and how does he view vaccination versus mandates?
Sears supports vaccination but opposes mandatory vaccination, arguing parents should retain the right to informed consent
How would you describe Sears’s tone in the final paragraph? Is he sincere or sarcastic?
His tone is sarcastic and critical, especially when he suggests politicians will make “wise medical decisions.”
How does Sears’s claim connect to Eula Biss’s idea that people are protected by “the bodies around them”?
Sears benefits from herd immunity without acknowledging it, aligning with Biss’s idea that vaccinated people rely on others for protection.
On what point do both authors agree?
Both agree that vaccines are effective and protective.
How do their views on disease risk differ?
Dahl views measles as a serious and deadly illness, while Sears minimizes it, saying “it’s not the plague.”
How does Sears’s focus on self-decision challenge Eula Biss’s metaphor that we “owe our health to our neighbors”?
Sears emphasizes individual choice, which conflicts with Biss’s idea that health is a shared responsibility that depends on community cooperation.
Roald Dahl’s argument relies more heavily on emotional appeal, while Dr. Bob Sears’s argument relies more heavily on logical reasoning and statistics.
TRUE OR FALSE?
true
Both authors agree that measles itself is a harmless illness that does not pose a serious risk to children.
TRUE OR FALSE
false
Dahl and Sears both believe vaccines are effective, but they disagree on whether vaccination should be a personal choice or a public responsibility.
True or False?
True
Using evidence from both texts, explain how Roald Dahl and Dr. Bob Sears differ in their views of responsibility when it comes to vaccination. In 3–4 sentences, explain which author emphasizes responsibility to the community and why.
Roald Dahl views vaccination as a responsibility to the entire community because refusing immunization puts other children at risk, as shown by his emotional account of his daughter’s death and his use of national statistics. Dr. Bob Sears, however, emphasizes individual responsibility and believes parents should have the right to make private medical decisions through informed consent. While both authors agree vaccines are effective, Dahl places greater importance on protecting the community as a whole. Sears focuses more on personal freedom than collective safety.