Week 4
language arts daily edits
Mon Sept 10-Fri Sept 14
Monday Sept 10
Passage II
SOCIAL SCIENCE: This passage is adapted from the chapter
“Personality Disorders” in Introduction to Psychology, edited by Rita
L. Atkinson and Richard C. Atkinson (©1981 by Harcourt Brace
Jovanovich, Inc.).
How should the law treat a mentally disturbed
person who commits a criminal offense? Should individuals whose mental faculties are impaired be held
responsible for their actions? These questions are of
5concern to social scientists, to members of the legal
profession, and to individuals who work with criminal
offenders.
Over the centuries, an important part of Western
law has been the concept that a civilized society should
10not punish a person who is mentally incapable of controlling his or her conduct. In 1724, an English court
maintained that a man was not responsible for an act if
“he doth not know what he is doing, no more than . . . a
wild beast.” Modern standards of legal responsibility,
15however, have been based on the McNaghten decision
of 1843. McNaghten, a Scotsman, suffered the paranoid
delusion that he was being persecuted by the English
prime minister, Sir Robert Peel. In an attempt to kill
Peel, he mistakenly shot Peel’s secretary. Everyone
20involved in the trial was convinced by McNaghten’s
senseless ramblings that he was insane. He was judged
not responsible by reason of insanity and sent to a
mental hospital, where he remained until his death. But
Queen Victoria was not pleased with the verdict—
25apparently she felt that political assassinations should
not be taken lightly—and called on the House of Lords
to review the decision. The decision was upheld and
rules for the legal definition of insanity were put into
writing. The McNaghten Rule states that a defendant
30may be found “not guilty by reason of insanity” only if
he were so severely disturbed at the time of his act that
he did not know what he was doing, or that if he did
know what he was doing, he did not know it was
wrong.
35The McNaghten Rule was adopted in the United
States, and the distinction of knowing right from wrong
remained the basis of most decisions of legal insanity
for over a century. Some states added to their statutes
the doctrine of “irresistible impulse,” which recognizes
40that some mentally ill individuals may respond correctly when asked if a particular act is morally right or
wrong but still be unable to control their behavior.
During the 1970s, a number of state and federal
courts adopted a broader legal definition of insanity
45proposed by the American Law Institute, which states:
“A person is not responsible for criminal conduct if at
the time of such conduct, as a result of mental disease
or defect, he lacks substantial capacity either to appreciate the wrongfulness of his conduct or to conform his
50conduct to the requirements of the law.” The word sub-stantial
suggests that “any” incapacity is not enough to avoid criminal
responsibility but that “total” incapacity
is not required either. The use of the word appreciate
rather than know implies that intellectual awareness of
55right or wrong is not enough; individuals must have
some understanding of the moral or legal consequences
of their behavior before they can be held criminally
responsible.
The problem of legal responsibility in the case of
60mentally disordered individuals is currently a topic of
intense debate, and a number of legal and mental health
professionals have recommended abolishing the
insanity plea as a defense. The reasons for this recommendation are varied. Many experts believe that the
65current courtroom procedures—in which psychiatrists
and psychologists for the prosecution and the defense
present contradictory evidence as to the defendant’s
mental state—are confusing to the jury and do little to
help the cause of justice. Some also argue that the
70abuse of the insanity plea by clever lawyers has
allowed too many criminals to escape conviction.
Others claim that acquittal by reason of insanity often
leads to a worse punishment (an indeterminate sentence
to an institution for the criminally insane that may con75fine a person for life) than being convicted and sent to
prison (with the possibility of parole in a few years).
Despite the current controversy, actual cases of
acquittal by reason of insanity are quite rare. Jurors
seem reluctant to believe that people are not morally
80responsible for their acts, and lawyers, knowing that an
insanity plea is apt to fail, tend to use it only as a last
resort. In California in 1980, only 259 defendants (out
of approximately 52,000) were successful in pleading
not guilty by reason of insanity.
1st
reading comprehension review
One of the author’s main points about the legal concept of responsibility in the passage is that:
A. the phrase “not guilty by reason of insanity” has made our legal system more efficient.
B. responsibility and guilt are legal concepts, and their meanings can be modified.
C. knowing right from wrong is a simple matter of admitting the truth to oneself.
D. people can become severely disturbed without a word of warning to anyone
2nd period reading comprehension review
Based on the passage, the primary purpose for the 1970s redefinition of insanity proposed by the American Law Institute was to:
F. eliminate the insanity defense from American courtrooms.
G. more precisely define the concepts of responsibility and intellectual capacity.
H. redefine legal insanity so that it might include as many criminals as possible.
J. apply the McNaghten Rule only to trials involving cases of mistaken identity.
3rd period reading comprehension review
From information in the third and fourth paragraphs (lines 35–58) it can reasonably be inferred that the legal definition of insanity
was changed in the 1970s after:
A. federal courts won a dispute with state courts over a proposal made by the American Law Institute.
B. the doctrine of “irresistible impulse ” was found to contradict accepted notions of justice.
C. proponents of the McNaghten Rule had been using the insanity defense in far too many murder trials.
D. several courts found that justice was not always best served when the McNaghten Rule was applied
4th period reading comprehension review
The passage indicates that the McNaghten case became the basis for future decisions about legal insanity because:
A. the House of Lords upheld the verdict of the court despite considerable political pressure.
B. there had been an increase in cases of murder involving mistaken identity arising from delusions.
C. McNaghten was unable to convince the jury at his trial that he was incoherent and insane.
D. McNaghten used a gun to commit murder, thus aggravating the crime in the jury’s mind.
5th period reading comprehension review
According to the passage, one of the reasons some mental health and legal groups want to abolish the insanity defense is that:
A. even clever lawyers are confused about when to use and when not to use it.
B. juries that must sort out conflicting testimony become confused, and justice suffers.
C. when it is invoked, even if the case is won, the punishment often ends up being too lenient.
D. innocent defendants are too often being punished unfairly by unsympathetic juries.
6th period reading comprehension review
According to the passage, a lawyer contemplating using insanity as a defense for a client should do which of the following?
A. Carefully evaluate using the defense, since in actual practice it rarely works
B. Assemble for trial a team of expert witnesses with a wide range of viewpoints on mental illness
C. Make sure that the doctrine of “irresistible impulse” is not used by the prosecution in his or her client’s trial
D. Recommend that the client be acquitted because he or she has been judged criminally insane by a doctor
7th period reading comprehension review
One of the main points made in the last paragraph is that insanity pleas were:
F. unconvincing to most juries in California in 1980.
G. used in most cases in California in 1980.
H. often successful in California in 1980.
J. popular with lawyers in California in 1980.
Answers for Monday Sept 10
1st
The best answer is B because the passage focuses mainly on how standards of legal responsibility regarding a
mentally incompetent person who commits a crime have been modified over time. These changes in responsibility also affect
whether or not a person is guilty. To support the point that the legal concepts of responsibility and guilt can be modified, the
author first presents the information regarding the McNaghten Rule in the second paragraph and then goes on in the fourth and
fifth paragraphs to show that in the 1970s, "a number of state and federal courts adopted a broader legal definition of insanity"
(lines 43-44), which modified a mentally ill person's legal responsibility. The passage further states that "the problem of legal
responsibility in the case of mentally disordered individuals is currently a topic of intense debate" (lines 59-61), which indicates
that additional modifications to the meanings of responsibility and guilt are likely.
The best answer is NOT A because evidence in lines 64-72 suggests that the phrase "not guilty by reason of insanity" has
actually made our legal system more complicated, not more efficient.
The best answer is NOT C because lines 55-58 suggest that knowing "right or wrong is not enough" for the mentally ill person
to "be held criminally responsible."
The best answer is NOT D. Whether or not a person can become severely disturbed without a word of warning to anyone has
nothing to do with the legal concept of responsibility and is not a main point in the passage.
2nd period The best answer is G. Support for this choice is found in the direct quote from the definition proposed by the
American Law Institute (lines 46-50). This 1970s redefinition of insanity set out to define more precisely when "a person is not
responsible for criminal conduct" and to explain that a person must have "substantial capacity either to appreciate the
wrongfulness of his conduct or to conform his conduct to the requirements of the law."
The best answer is NOT F because the 1970s redefinition of insanity was adopted by "a number of state and federal courts"
(lines 43-44); therefore, the purpose would not be to eliminate the insanity defense.
The best answer is NOT H. Lines 51-52 suggest that the 1970s redefinition of insanity more clearly defined who could be held
criminally responsible: " 'any' incapacity is not enough to avoid criminal responsibility." This suggests a limitation of the number of
criminals who could bring the insanity defense, not an increase.
The best answer is NOT J because there is no mention of mistaken identity in relation to the 1970s redefinition of insanity
proposed by the American Law Institute.
3rd period The best answer is D. The inference in the third and fourth paragraphs is that the narrowness of the McNaghten Rule
led to modifications. "Some states added to their statutes the doctrine of 'irresistible impulse,'" (lines 38-39), and later "a number
of state and federal courts adopted a broader legal definition of insanity" (lines 43-44). Both of these changes suggest that strictly
applying the original McNaghten Rule could in some cases be unjust.
The best answer is NOT A because there is no mention in the passage of any disputes between federal and state courts.
The best answer is NOT B because the third paragraph suggests that the doctrine of "irresistible impulse" was added to further
clarify the McNaghten Rule and broaden accepted notions of justice. There is no evidence that the doctrine in any way
contradicts accepted notions of justice.
The best answer is NOT C because the third and fourth paragraphs suggest nothing about the number of murder trials in which
the insanity defense was used.
4th period The best answer is A. Support for this choice is clearly stated in lines 24-29, which explains how Queen Victoria, not
pleased with the result of an insanity judgment in favor of a defendant named McNaghten, "called on the House of Lords to
review the decision. The decision was upheld and rules for the legal definition of insanity were put into writing," and this came to
be known as the McNaghten Rule, the basis for future decisions regarding legal insanity.
The best answer is NOT B because lines 24-29 clearly state that the McNaghten case led to the McNagthen Rule after the
House of Lords upheld an insanity-defense decision; there is no evidence that mistaken-identity cases had an effect on this
decision.
The best answer is NOT C. McNaghten won his case on an insanity defense, so this choice is untrue.
The best answer is NOT D. Although the passage does suggest that McNaghten used a gun in his crime, there is no mention of
the jury's reaction to this fact.
5th period The best answer is B. Support for this choice is stated in the fifth paragraph: "a number of legal and mental health
professionals have recommended abolishing the insanity plea as a defense" (lines 61-63) because "current courtroom
procedures . . . are confusing to the jury" (lines 65-68).
The best answer is NOT A because there is no evidence in the passage to suggest that lawyers are confused about when to
use the insanity defense. On the contrary, "lawyers, knowing that an insanity plea is apt to fail, tend to use it only as a last resort"
(lines 80-82).
The best answer is NOT C because even though some experts argue that the insanity plea "has allowed too many criminals to
escape conviction," (lines 70-71) other experts "claim that acquittal by reason of insanity often leads to a worse punishment"
(lines 72-73).
The best answer is NOT D because there is no evidence in the passage to support the idea that innocent defendants are
punished unfairly.
6th period The best answer is A. Support for this choice is clearly stated in lines 80-82: "lawyers, knowing that an insanity plea is
apt to fail, tend to use it only as a last resort."
The best answer is NOT B because, given the information in the last two paragraphs, it makes no sense for a defense attorney
to have expert witnesses with a wide range of viewpoints on mental illness. Rather, the lawyer should have experts who can
present viewpoints that are narrow enough to support the insanity defense.
The best answer is NOT C. It is more likely that the defense, not the prosecution, would use the doctrine of "irresistible impulse"
(see lines 39-42 for the definition), so this choice is illogical.
The best answer is NOT D. Because the passage states that "psychiatrists and psychologists for the prosecution and the
defense present contradictory evidence as to the defendant's mental state" (lines 65-68), a recommendation by a lawyer would
likely have little or no consequence at the trial.
7th period The best answer is F. The last paragraph confirms that "actual cases of acquittal by reason of insanity are quite rare"
and that in California in 1980, only a small percentage of defendants in these cases were successful.
The best answer is NOT G because the last paragraph contradicts this statement: "actual cases of acquittal by reason of
insanity are quite rare" (lines 77-78).
The best answer is NOT H because the last paragraph contradicts this statement: "in California in 1980, only 259 defendants
(out of approximately 52,000) were successful in pleading not guilty by reason of insanity" (lines 82-84).
The best answer is NOT J because information in the last paragraph of the passage suggests that insanity pleas are unpopular
because lawyers know "that an insanity plea is apt to fail" (lines 81-82).
Tuesday Sept 11th
1st
punctuation review
Decide which punctuation mark, if any, is needed in the sentence.
Ouch that hurt!
A)
B)
C)
D)
2nd
.
,
;
:
period
comma
semi colon
colon
punctuation review
Decide which punctuation mark, if any, is needed in the sentences.
Hey Sara!
A)
B)
C)
D)
.
:
;
,
period
semi colon
comma
colon
3rd period punctuation review
Decide which punctuation mark, if any, is needed in the sentences.
Yay no school this week!
A)
B)
C)
D)
.
;
,
:
period
semi colon
comma
colon
4th period punctuation review
Decide which punctuation mark, if any, is needed in the sentences.
Whoa Did you see that cat’s eyes!
A)
B)
C)
D)
.
;
,
!
period
semi colon
comma
exclamation point
5th period punctuation review
Decide which punctuation mark, if any, is needed in the sentences.
Awesome We always wanted to go to Nightmare on Thirteenth.
A)
B)
!
;
exclamation mark
semi colon
C)
D)
,
:
comma
colon
6th period punctuation review
Choose the sentence that is correctly punctuated.
a.
Road construction, can be inconvenient, but, it is necessary.
b.
Road construction can be inconvenient but it is necessary.
c.
Road construction can be inconvenient, but it is necessary.
d.
Road construction: can be inconvenient but it is necessary
7th period punctuation review
Choose the sentence that is correctly punctuated.
a.
To get a good grade, you must complete all your assignments.
b.
To get a good grade you must complete all your assignments;
c.
To get a good grade: you must complete all your assignments.
d.
To get a good grade, you must, complete, all your assignments.
Answers for Tuesday Sept 11th
1st
B—comma; sets apart the opening phrase Ouch from the following part of the sentence
2nd
could be none---or could also choose C, comma, to distinguish between emphasis on Hey, Sarah!
3rd
C—comma after Yay, to indicate it as an opening phrase separate from rest of the sentence for emphasis
4th
D—exclamation point; sets off Whoa! As its own phrase distinct and of itself for emphasis
5th
A—exclamation mark; sets of Awesome! As its own phrase distinct and of itself for emphasis
6th
C—has comma correctly placed in the right spot
7th
A—has correct use of comma in sentence and period at end of sentence
Wednesday Sept 12th
1st
punctuation review
Choose the sentence that is correctly punctuated.
a.
On her vacation Lisa visited Greece Spain and Italy.
b.
On her vacation, Lisa visited Greece Spain and Italy.
c.
On her vacation, Lisa visited Greece, Spain, and Italy
d.
On her vacation, Lisa visited Greece, Spain, and Italy.
2nd
punctuation review
Choose the sentence that is correctly punctuated.
a.
Johns truck, a red Chevrolet, needs new tires.
b.
John’s truck a red Chevrolet, needs new tires.
c.
John’s truck, a red Chevrolet, needs new tires.
d.
Johns truck, a red Chevrolet, needs new tires?
3rd
punctuation review
Choose the sentence that is correctly punctuated.
a.
When he realized he had overslept, Mario rushed to his car and hurried to school.
b.
When he realized, he had overslept; Mario rushed to his car and hurried to school.
c.
When he realized he had overslept: Mario rushed to his car and hurried to school.
d.
When he realized he had overslept, Mario rushed to his car and hurried to school
4th
punctuation review
Choose the sentence that is correctly punctuated.
a.
Yes, she promised. Todd replied, saying, “I will be back this afternoon.”
b.
“Yes, she promised. Todd replied, saying, “I will be back this afternoon.
c.
“Yes” she promised. Todd replied saying “I will be back this afternoon.”
d.
“Yes,” she promised. Todd replied, saying, “I will be back this afternoon.”
5th
punctuation review
Choose the sentence that is correctly punctuated.
a.
Mike Rose, Chief Financial Officer for Operations; reported the quarter’s earnings.
b.
Mike Rose, Chief Financial Officer for Operations, reported the quarters earnings.
c.
Mike Rose, Chief Financial Officer for Operations, reported the quarter’s earnings.
d.
Mike Rose: Chief Financial Officer for Operations reported the quarters’ earnings.
6th
punctuation review
Choose the sentence that is correctly punctuated.
a.
Road construction in Salt Lake has hindered travel around town: streets have become covered with bulldozers, trucks
and cones
b.
Road construction in Salt Lake has hindered travel around town; streets have become covered with bulldozers, trucks,
and cones.
c.
Road construction, in Salt Lake has hindered, travel around town: streets have become covered with bulldozers,
trucks, and cones
d.
Road construction in Salt Lake has hindered travel around town. Streets have become covered with bulldozers trucks
and cones.
7th
punctuation review
Choose the sentence that is correctly punctuated.
a.
Terrorism in the United States has become a recent concern; in fact the concern for Americas safety has led to an
awareness of global terrorism.
b.
Terrorism in the United States has become a recent concern; in fact, the concern for America’s safety has led to an
awareness of global terrorism
c.
Terrorism in the United States has become a recent concern in fact the concern for Americas safety has led to an
awareness of global terrorism.
d.
Terrorism in the United States has become a recent concern; in fact, the concern for America’s safety has led to an
awareness of global terrorism.
Answers for Wednesday Sept 12th
1st
D—correctly uses commas
2nd
C—correctly uses apostrophe to distinguish John’s truck; commas to set off phrase, and period at end of sentence
3rd
A—correct use of comma and period
4th
D—correct use of quotation marks for dialogue, commas where needed, period at end of sentence
5th
C—correct use of commas to set off his title; correct use of apostrophe to indicate which earnings were being
referenced
6th
B—correct use of semi colon to combine 2 similar-topic sentences; correct period at end
7th
C—correct use of semi colon, comma, and end punctuation of a period
Thursday Sept 13th
1st
punctuation review
Choose the sentence that is correctly punctuated.
a.
Recent sites of the Olympic Games include Athens; Greece; Salt Lake City; Utah; Sydney; Australia; Nagano; Japan.
b.
Recent sites of the Olympic Games include Athens, Greece: Salt Lake City, Utah: Sydney, Australia: Nagano, Japan.
c.
Recent sites of the Olympic Games include Athens, Greece; Salt Lake City, Utah; Sydney, Australia; and Nagano,
Japan.
d.
Recent sites of the Olympic Games include: Athens Greece; Salt Lake City Utah; Sydney Australia; and Nagano
Japan.
2nd
punctuation review
Choose the sentence that is correctly punctuated.
a.
Road construction in Ogden has hindered travel around town: parts of Main Fifth and West Streets are closed during
the construction.
b.
Road construction in Ogden has hindered travel around town: parts of Main, Fifth, and West Streets are closed during
the construction.
c.
Road construction, in Ogden has hindered travel around town; parts of Main, Fifth and West Streets are closed during
the construction.
d.
Road construction in Ogden; has hindered travel around town; parts of Main Fifth and West Streets are closed during
the construction.
3rd
punctuation review
Choose the sentence that is correctly punctuated.
a.
Julie went to the store for some groceries milk bread coffee and cheese.
b.
Julie went to the store for some groceries; milk, bread, coffee, and cheese
c.
Julie went to the store for some groceries: milk, bread coffee and cheese.
d.
4th
Julie went to the store for some groceries: milk, bread, coffee, and cheese.
punctuation review
Choose the sentence that shows correct capitalization and punctuation.
A) They were interested in seeing the John f. Kennedy Space center.
B) It was wonderful to step into the warm water of the atlantic ocean.
C) During the Thanksgiving holiday, Tina visited her sister in Miami.
D) That city is located in the Southern part of the State.
5th
punctuation review
Choose the sentence that shows correct capitalization and punctuation.
A) Did you read the manual.
B) Look out for that pipe overhead?
C) Those rules are strictly enforced
D) Be sure to follow the safety instructions.
6th
punctuation review
Choose the sentence that is written correctly and shows correct grammar, capitalization, and punctuation.
A) The flickering candles creates a pleasant effect.
B) An emergency flashlight are in the kitchen drawer.
C) The fluorescent bulbs glow with an eerie, blue-white light.
D) One of those light bulbs are guaranteed to last five years.
7th
punctuation review
Choose the sentence that is written correctly and shows correct capitalization and punctuation
A) I do not think shel’l wait much longer.
B) Should we take my car or your’s?
C) He might be at his grandmothers house.
D) Will you be at Jesse’s house in ten minutes?
Answers for Thursday Sept 13th
1st
C---uses correctly commas and semi colons to distinguish cities and countries; uses correct end punctuation;
2nd
B---uses colon correctly, as well as commas to separate different street areas they are talking about in the sentence
3rd
D—uses colon to indicate a following series; uses commas correctly to separate items
4th
C—correctly uses comma and period at end
5th
D—has correct use of punctuation
6th
C—correctly uses commas and dash and end punctuation
7th
D—correctly uses apostrophe to show whose house it is, and end question mark
Friday Sept 14th
1st
punctuation review
Choose the sentence that is written correctly and shows correct capitalization and punctuation.
A) I am ready to go home for the Day.
B) Monday’s are always long.
C) I can’t wait four Friday.
D) Will we have lots of homework tonight?
2nd
punctuation review
Choose the sentence that is written correctly and shows correct capitalization and punctuation and grammar.
A) The attorney asked the jurors whether they knew the client.
B) One of the jurors had to be excused because of an emergency in their family.
C) Judge Mary Michaels praised the jurors for their patients during the prolonged trial.
D) The people in the courtroom were warned not to show it’s bias against the defendant.
3rd
punctuation review
Choose the sentence that is written correctly and shows correct capitalization and punctuation and grammar.
A) She brought ice cream for dessert because everyone like them.
B) Tanya ate pizza because they were hungry
C) Miguel and Jorge bought ourselves new shoes for the wedding.
D) Ron searched for his favorite tie but couldn’t find it.
4th
punctuation review
Choose the sentence that is written correctly and shows correct capitalization and punctuation and grammar.
A) Seat belts can save lives yet some people don’t wear them.
B) You should read each of the safety rules, and memorize them.
C) Swimming is good exercise, but it is not advisable to swim alone.
D) The escape route is displayed on the bulletin board however; many employees have never noticed it.
5th
punctuation review
Choose the sentence that is written correctly and shows correct capitalization and punctuation and grammar
A) this Saturday Mi-jin will be moving into her first apartment.
B) The rent will be due on the tenth of each month, beginning in April.
C) After much searching, she finally found a suitable place on the East side of town.
D) That evening she called her family in lansing, Michigan; to tell them the good news.
6th
punctuation review
Choose the sentence that is written correctly and shows correct capitalization and punctuation and grammar.
A) Take a sweater to the stadium.
B) Al the parking lot attendant.
C) The sports editor, a good friend of mine.
D) Before the game started.
7th
punctuation review
Choose the sentence that is written correctly and shows correct capitalization and punctuation and grammar.
A) I remember relaxing in my dad’s old boat on Great East lake in maine.
B) Have you ever seen a Steamboat float along the Mississippi river?
C) The harbor was full of large sailboats on the fourth of july.
D) Last Sunday I took my family to the boat show at the city’s convention center.
Answers for Friday Sept 14th
1st
D—correct use of question mark
2nd
A—correct use of end punctuation; B has incorrect use of pronoun agreement—one/theirs is wrong; C—has patients
spelled wrong, should be patience; D==has it’s meaning it is rather than its
3rd
D---correct pronoun agreement and punctuation; A is wrong because it should read ‘likes’ B is wrong because Tanya
should be she not they; C Miguel and Jorge should be themselves, not ourselves;
4th
C—correct use of comma and end period; A needs commas to set off ‘yet’ phrase; B has a comma where it isn’t
needed; D should have semi colon after ‘board’ and then comma after however
5th
B—has correct use of comma and end punctuation and capitalization; A is wrong because it is missing capitalization of
first word; C is wrong because east doesn’t need to be capitalized, referring to direction; D is wrong because it is missing
capitalization of Lansing, a city;
6th
A is correct—a direct command sentence with a period at the end; B is a sentence fragment so it’s not a correct
sentence; C is an incomplete sentence; D is a sentence opener fragment.
7th
D is correct—correct capitalization and use of period at end of sentence and use of apostrophe on city’s; A is wrong,
missing capitalization on words; B is also missing capitalization on River and shouldn’t capitalize steamboat; C is wrong for not
capitalizing holiday;