What is the main theme of Passage 1? America is special because it is young and
full of promise.
Europe will never be as grand as it was in the
past.
America is larger and has better weather
than Europe.
5
The journey from Europe to America is
essential.

Read the sample student paragraph that addresses a counterclaim. some claim that the internet both invades and compromises one’s right to privacy. however, this is ridiculous. the internet is only as invasive as one allows it to be, particularly since there are laws to protect people’s privacy. exercising caution when supplying personal information online is the most vital step in protecting one’s privacy. any information you do not feel comfortable sharing online should not be shared, and sensitive information should only be provided to trusted organizations. additionally, some states have already enacted privacy laws that model the federal privacy act of 1974, ensuring that information collected for one purpose may not be used—or sold—for other purposes without first notifying the individual to whom the data belongs. the first and most important protector of an individual’s information is that individual. people whose personal information is not properly protected only have themselves to blame. what evidence weakens the counterclaim in this paragraph? the internet is only as invasive as one allows it to be. exercising caution is the best way to protect one’s privacy online. some states have already enacted online privacy laws. it is the individual’s fault when personal information is unprotected.