Passage D

Practice Tests
Practice Tests for the Texas Academic Skills Program Reading Test
Passage D

Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow.

18. The organization of paragraph 1 is

A. cause and effect.

B. contrast.

C. chronological order.

D. spatial order.

19. According to the passage, who portrays TV "as the corrupting demon, munching away at young brain cells?"

A. parents and media critics

B. educators and schools

C. movies

D. doctors and psychologists

20. In paragraph 10 of the passage, the writer states that "This is familiar ground for my generation." Which of the following best expresses the writer's reason for making this statement?

A. His own generation enjoyed watching television just as her daughter's does.

B. Just like his daughter now, he was once drawn to what adults considered offensive for children.

C. His own generation enjoyed listening to music instead of television.

D. His father was a concerned parent just like he is.

21. Using the logic outlined by the writer in this passage, one would expect that if parents watched and discussed undesirable shows with their children instead of forbidding them or showing their contempt, then

A. parents would change their minds about the shows.

B. parents would spend more quality time with their children.

C. the shows would become even more appealing to the children.

D. children would learn to become more discriminating viewers.

22. The author's purpose in writing this passage is to

A. advise the public that allowing children to watch television shows like "The Simpsons" is dangerous for their children.

B. educate readers about the bad influence of some movies upon their children.

C. illustrate why parents should watch television shows and movies with their children.

D. discourage the government from allowing harmful television shows to be aired.

23. According to this passage, the phrase cultural warfare is used to mean

A. a war between races of people over cultural differences.

B. a war between people of different countries who misunderstand one another.

C. a war between the people and the government over regulating the media.

D. a war between parents and their children over what they deem admirable and worthwhile.