Is speech truly free in America? As Trump’s allies call for punishment of those mocking the death of Charlie Kirk, many Americans worry that the government plans to remove the country’s most fundamental right.
‘Blatant censorship’ row sweeps USA
Monologue maestro: From his satirical monologues to his sometimes emotional calls for change, Jimmy Kimmel used his late-night show to skewer the absurdity of pop culture as well as to reflect on the day's most pressing issues. Comprehension quiz
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Define the word “furore” as it is used in the text.
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Which word is the closest synonym for “ousted” in the text?
A: Removed
B: Promoted
C: Replaced
D: Hired
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According to the text, why was Jimmy Kimmel’s show suspended?
A: He wrongly accused the killer of being an angry Trump supporter.
B: He was an outspoken critic of the government.
C: The show was too expensive to produce.
D: He made fun of Charlie Kirk’s death.
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What is the key difference between free speech in the US and the UK, as mentioned in the article?
A: The US system is less absolute than the UK system.
B: The UK system has no legal distinction between free speech and hate speech.
C: The US system has no legal distinction between free speech and hate speech.
D: The UK government is trying to remove freedom of speech.
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According to the article, what is one argument against the idea that the government is stripping Americans of their free speech rights?
A: Everyone who was fired has been rehired.
B: No one has been legally punished for speaking out.
C: The government has a right to fire its employees.
D: A YouGov poll found that 88% of Americans believe in free speech.
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The article discusses the tension between free speech and the consequences of that speech, such as being fired from a job. Do you think there should be limits on free speech in certain situations? Explain your personal view using examples from the text or your own experiences.
Answers
Tap to reveal
1: A public outburst of anger or excitement., 2: A, 3: A, 4: C, 5: B, 6: Your view!
1: A public outburst of anger or excitement., 2: A, 3: A, 4: C, 5: B, 6: Your view!
Glossary
Scalp - In several Indigenous cultures in North America, scalping was part of human trophy taking, which involved claiming human body parts war trophies: as an idiom, it means to remove someone from a job.
Trenchant - Sharp-edged. It derives from a French verb meaning "to cut".
Furore - An excited or angry reaction. It was originally an Italian word meaning "rage" or "madness".
Constitution - A document that sets out the fundamental rules according to which a country is governed, which are usually difficult to change.
Hate speech - The expression of hate towards someone because of race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation.
Cancel Culture - The act of withdrawing support for a person or entity because of their actions or views.
Censorship - Preventing or stopping speech, writing or communication that is considered harmful or "inconvenient".