Texas v. Johnson
In the excerpt from Texas v. Johnson Majority Opinion, what is Justice Brennan’s
major claim?
A) The nation’s flag is the most important symbol of American ideals and freedoms.
B) Americans’ First Amendment rights include the right to burn the flag in protest.
C) The act of burning the nation’s flag hurts the United States and the First Amendment.
D) Controversies over the right to burn the flag are necessary for the First Amendment.
B) Americans' First Amendment rights include the right to burn the flag in protest.
TRUE or FALSE: In American Flag Stands for Tolerance, Allen agrees with the Supreme Court ruling that flag burning is a protected form of protest under the First Amendment.
A) True
B) False
A) True
Which best defines icon?
A) a symbol of deeply held values
B) a celebrity
C) none of the above
A) a symbol of deeply held values
Which two kinds of speech are, according to both selections and the conclusions you can draw from the texts, most likely to be protected by the First Amendment?
A) Threats to attack a person
B) Controversial statements at a public event
C) Requests to someone to participate in a crime
D) Expressions of disagreement with a government policy
E) Revelations of secret military plans by a person who opposes them
B) Controversial statements at a public event
and
D) Expressions of disagreement with a government policy
In paragraph 3 of Texas v. Johnson Majority Opinion, Brennan paraphrases the opinion of Justice Holmes from another court case. What is the most likely reason Brennan might have for doing this?
A) Holmes, Brennan’s close friend, needs support for his court opinion.
B) Holmes, an expert in the field, provides a necessary counterargument to
Brennan’s opinion.
C) Holmes gives a popular opinion that is unimportant to Brennan’s views but
of interest to readers.
D) Holmes provides authoritative evidence to support Brennan’s views.
D) Holmes provides authoritative evidence to support Brennan’s views.
Read the sentence from paragraph 9 of “American Flag Stands for Tolerance.”
After all, it is in robust debate that we are most true to ourselves.
Which synonym for robust most closely communicates the same meaning?
A) Tough
B) Sturdy
C) Vigorous
D) Boisterous
C) Vigorous
Which of the follow best defines sanctity?
A) traditionally accepted codes and customs
B) a formal ban of something
C) sacredness or ultimate importance
C) sacredness or ultimate importance
What can a reader reasonably infer about Allen’s and Brennan’s views of the First Amendment
from the selections they wrote?
A) Both Allen and Brennan see the First Amendment as much more under threat than others in the Bill of Rights.
B) Both Allen and Brennan see the First Amendment as most deserving of protection among all constitutional amendments.
C) Allen views the First Amendment as completely clear; Brennan views it as complicated due to the breadth of its protections.
D) Allen views the First Amendment as the most important in the Bill of Rights; Brennan refrains from stating his specific views of it.
D) Allen views the First Amendment as the most important in the Bill of Rights; Brennan refrains from stating his specific views of it.
Read this quotation from paragraph 3 of Texas v. Johnson Majority Opinion.
Indeed, Texas’ argument that the burning of an American flag “is an act having a high likelihood to cause a breach of the peace,” and its statute’s implicit assumption that physical mistreatment of the flag will lead to “serious offense,” tend to confirm that the flag’s special role is not in danger; if it were, no one would riot or take offense because a flag had been burned.
The purpose of this statement by Justice Brennan is to appeal to his audience’s —
A) logic, by providing a sensible explanation for his view
B) emotions, by using inspiring words such as mistreatment
C) respect for authority, by reinforcing the high position of the flag
D) belief in symbols, by emphasizing the special role held by the flag
A) logic, by providing a sensible explanation for his view
What is the author of “American Flag Stands for Tolerance” attempting to point out through his use of logic in paragraph 7?
A) The importance of allowing respectful protests
B) Why the controversy about flag burning is unimportant
C) The lengths some people may go to in order to make a point
D) A flaw in the thinking of some whose views oppose the author’s
D) A flaw in the thinking of some whose views oppose the author’s
What is a rebuttal?
A) agreement that an opposing view is valid
B) an opposing argument or an argument against another claim
C) an overall opinion or viewpoint
B) an opposing argument or an argument against another claim
Which author clearly defends this idea: One person’s actions cannot change widely held feelings.
A) Brennan (Texas v. Johnson)
B) Allen (American Flag Stands for Tolerance)
A) Brennan (Texas v. Johnson)
In Texas v. Johnson Majority Opinion, Justice Brennan cites the Constitution as evidence to validate his argument. How will Brennan’s document most likely be viewed in the future?
A) It will also set a precedent for future legal matters.
B) It will also be revised and updated by future historians.
C) It will also be examined closely by future politicians.
D) It will also address critical future events in history.
A) It will also set a precedent for future legal matters.
What argumentative strategy is used by Allen to acknowledge and address the concerns of those who believe burning the flag is too far?
A) Contrast & Contradiction
B) Concession & Rebuttal
C) Ethos
D) None of the above
B) Concession & Rebuttal
Which most defines inhibit?
A) to stop or prevent something
B) to continue or encourage
C) to disagree
D) to be opposite of something
A) to stop or prevent something
Which author defends this idea: One of the nation’s values is toleration of disagreement.
A) Brennan (Texas v. Johnson)
B) Allen (American Flag Stands for Tolerance)
C) Both
C) Both
What was the voting outcome of the Supreme Court's decision and which word best describes their decision?
A) 7-2; easy
B) 9-0; unanimous
C) 5-4; controversial
C) 5-4; controversial
The author of “American Flag Stands for Tolerance” presents an opposing claim in
paragraph 5. How does he rebut this opposing claim in paragraph 6?
A) He maintains that the objection to his claim is untrue because the principle he upholds is
not dogmatic.
B) He argues that the requirement to reject dogma is limited to rejecting one particular principle, not all dogma.
C) He admits that the objection to his claim is true, but states that the dogma he supports is more reasonable than what it replaces.
D) He points out that the idea of limiting freedom of expression to protect the flag is a belief of private citizens, but should be official dogma.
C) He admits that the objection to his claim is true, but states that the dogma he supports is more reasonable than what it replaces.
What is a dogma?
A) an opinion that varies from person to person
B) a new idea that replaces an old idea
C) traditionally accept codes, customs, or beliefs presented as the only truth
D) none of the above
C) traditionally accept codes, customs, or beliefs presented as the only truth
Read the following sentences from the selections.
We are tempted to say, in fact, that the flag’s deservedly cherished place in our community will be strengthened, not weakened, by our holding today. (Texas v. Johnson Majority Opinion, paragraph 4)
The American flag is a cherished symbol of our national aspirations. (“American Flag Stands for Tolerance,” paragraph 2)
How does the tone of Texas v. Johnson Majority Opinion compare with the tone of the editorial “American Flag Stands for Tolerance”?
A) The tone of the majority opinion is reflective, while the tone of the editorial is angry.
B) The tone of the majority opinion is formal, while the tone of the editorial is persuasive.
C) The tone of the majority opinion is indifferent, while the tone of the editorial is empathetic.
D) The tone of the majority opinion is forceful, while the tone of the editorial is imploring.
B) The tone of the majority opinion is formal, while the tone of the editorial is persuasive.