Question

text-dependent questions
directions: for the following questions, choose the best answer or respond in complete sentences.

1. part a: which of the following best identifies a central idea of the article?

a. juvenile criminals should be subjected to the same punishments as adults, even if they are not equally aware of any legal consequences of breaking the law.
b. in cases of homicide, it is important to take into account the juvenile offenders criminal history when deciding upon punishment for homicide cases.
c. in some states, juveniles convicted of committing or being involved in homicide are automatically sentenced to life in prison without parole, though many people argue that this is unjust and cruel.
d. minors should not be held to the same legal standards as adults because their brains are not as developed and their actions mean less than adults.

1. part b: which phrase from the text best support the answer to part a?

a. “...a mandatory punishment of life without parole for a 14 - year - old is cruel and unusual punishment because the defendants age and background cannot mitigate punishment.” (paragraph 9)
b. “fourteen - year - olds, for instance, are not allowed to drink, to marry, to vote, to serve on juries or even to drive.” (paragraph 14)
c. “the one thing that we dont know is what the potential of the life would be that was snuffed out in the crime...” (paragraph 24)
d. “it takes them years before they even get what it means to be sentenced to life in prison without parole, because theyre just not used to thinking that far ahead.” (paragraph 32)

1. part a: which of the following most closely matches the definition of “egregious” as used in paragraph 26?

a. circumstantial or uncommon
b. outstandingly bad or shocking
c. indicative of poor character
d. unusual and surprising

Explanation:

1. For Part A, option C best summarizes the article as it addresses the sentencing of juveniles in homicide cases and the controversy around it. Option A is too extreme in suggesting same - punishment as adults without considering differences. Option B focuses only on criminal history in homicide cases and not the broader issue. Option D is a general statement about minors and legal standards but not as comprehensive as C.
2. For Part B, option A supports the answer in Part A as it specifically mentions the unjust and cruel nature of mandatory life - without - parole for a 14 - year - old, which is related to the controversy in C.
3. For Part C, the word "egregious" means outstandingly bad or shocking. This is the most appropriate definition as it is used to describe something extremely negative in the context of the paragraph.

Answer:

1. C. In some states, juveniles convicted of committing or being involved in homicide are automatically sentenced to life in prison without parole, though many people argue that this is unjust and cruel.
2. A. “...a mandatory punishment of life without parole for a 14 - year - old is cruel and unusual punishment because the defendant's age and background cannot mitigate punishment.” (Paragraph 9)
3. B. outstandingly bad or shocking