For some Americans, the political concepts that are set forth in the Declaration of Independence—particularly the concept of equality—have become standards by which American institutions should be measured. For example, as you will see, the Constitution did not allow for equal treatment for many Americans, including African Americans (who were not considered citizens) and women. The disparity

between the declaration's promise of equality and the Constitution's unequal treatment of Americans set the example for future conflicts over the issue of equality. Neither Thomas Jefferson nor the framers of the Constitution interpreted the word equality to mean equal income. Rather, they envisioned a nation in which all citizens had what we would now call equal opportunity. Equal opportunity promotes other American ideals, such as individualism and self-reliance. It also often leads to a meritocracy based on individual talent and effort. Those who have the advantage of more education, more money to invest in an enterprise, greater talent, and higher levels of energy will have a competitive edge and come out the winners. In recent times, some people have been unwilling to accept the results of simple equality of opportunity if it creates a gross maldistribution of wealth. Some have argued that the founders, who lived in a largely agrarian economy, could not have envisioned the huge disparities in income in an industrial age and certainly would not have thought them consistent with democratic government. Some reformers have thus backed the creation of a welfare safety net by which the government protects and promotes the economic security of its citizens. Other reformers have tried to level the playing field through programs known as "affirmative action." These programs give preferences to minorities and other groups to make up for past discrimination. Those who favor affirmative action views its opponents as heartless individualists, who would let other Americans remain in poverty because they lack the talent, luck, or education to rise above it. Opponents of affirmative action argue that such programs perpetuate unequal treatment and emphasize racial divisions in society. The author's tone could best be described as

a. sympathetic.
b. indignant.
c. unbiased.
d. argumentative.


c

Language Arts & World Languages

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Emparejar.Match the phrases to create logical sentences. 

A. Para congelar carne B. Para hervir agua C. Para combinar ingredientes D. Para limpiar los platos E. Para cortar vegetales

Language Arts & World Languages

Gramática: Adjetivos posesivos tónicos y pronombres posesivos. Completa las afirmaciones de los personajes con el adjetivo posesivo apropiado. Rapunzel: Esa bruja no es amiga ______________.

Fill in the blank(s) with the appropriate word(s).

Language Arts & World Languages

Presente del indicativo. Completa las oraciones con el verbo apropiado en el presente del indicativo.  Todos los días (1) ________________________ (levantarse) a las siete de la mañana y (2) ________________________ (salir) a correr con mi amigo Esteban. Después, (3) ________________________ (ducharse) y (4) ________________________ (desayunar) huevos revueltos. Mis clases (5) ________________________ (empezar) a las diez de la mañana y (6) ________________________ (terminar) a las seis de la tarde. Los fines de semana mis amigos y yo (7) ________________________ (ir) a la biblioteca por la mañana y por la noche (8) ________________________ (ver) una película en el cine o en el apartamento de alguno de nosotros. ¿Cuál (9) ________________________ (ser) tu rutina diaria? ¿Qué

(10) ________________________ (hacer) tú y tus amigos los fines de semana?(1) Fill in the blank(s) with the appropriate word(s).

Language Arts & World Languages

You will hear a phone message describing plans for an upcoming weekend. Listen to the message and then write what each of the following people wants to do. If it is not mentioned in the message write No se menciona (It is not mentioned).

Pablo ______________________________

Language Arts & World Languages