In the Point/Counterpoint article “Violence in the Movies,” two authors express conflicting ideas about the effect media violence has on young people. Read the excerpts, and then choose the correct response to each prompt. . . . Children are being exposed to high levels of violence in movies, television, and other media throughout the span of childhood. According to research published by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, “The typical American child will view more than 200,000 acts of violence, including more than 16,000 murders, before age 18.”

What Hollywood filmmakers must understand is that children mimic what they see in movies. When a hero exhibits violent behaviors to defeat an enemy, children follow his lead. They learn that violence is an acceptable form of problem solving. Those who see themselves as victims may be more likely to act out in violent behaviors. They may act against peers, parents, teachers, or other authority figures. According to the U. S. Bureau of Justice Statistics, in 2011, students ages 12-18 were victims of 597,500 violent victimizations at school.
—“Point”

Violent behavior is an extremely complex issue that cannot be reduced to a simple cause-effect relationship. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified many risk factors for youth violence. These include history of early aggressive behavior, exposure to violence in the family, low parental involvement, association with delinquent peers, low IQ, poor academic performance, low socioeconomic status, and many others. Exposure to violence in movies does not appear on the CDC’s list.

. . . Jonathan L. Freedman, a professor of psychology at the University of Toronto, reported “a very small correlation” between media violence and aggressive behavior in children. Freedman suggested that violent behavior is most likely present in children who lack regular adult supervision. How can we hold filmmakers responsible for putting children at risk when it’s a parental duty to monitor what children are watching? Parents must teach their children appropriate behaviors.
—“Counterpoint”

How is the topic of both passages similar?

Answer choices for the above question

A. They both discuss reasons for children’s violent behavior.

B. They both argue against excessive violence on television.
How do the writers’ explanations of childhood violence differ?

Answer choices for the above question

A. The “Point” writer thinks Hollywood promotes violent problem solving, but the “Counterpoint” author thinks children are naturally aggressive.

B. The “Point” writer believes children mimic the violent behavior they see, but the “Counterpoint” writer thinks parents do not teach or supervise their children properly.

Which sources are cited by both passages?

Answer choices for the above question

A. American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Professor Jonathan L. Freedman

B. U. S Bureau of Justice Statistics and data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention

How do the writers support their main idea differently?

Answer choices for the above question

A. The “Point” writer focuses on popular culture, but the “Counterpoint” writer focuses on psychology.

B. The “Point” writer focuses on interactions between children and their parents, but the “Counterpoint” author focuses on risk factors.