3.33 Author s Viewpoint Worksheet

Some people think every new invention is automatically an improvement. The author challenges this idea by describing a 'smart' toy that records children's voices to respond with jokes. The toy might seem fun, but the author worries about where the recordings go and who can hear them. The author says that excitement should not outrun privacy. New technology, the author argues, is best when it is both useful and careful with personal information.

Some schools keep a large box of lost-and-found items all year. By spring, the box can be overflowing with jackets, lunch boxes, and water bottles. The author notes that families rarely check the box after the first week something is missing. The author suggests holding monthly 'claim days' and donating unclaimed items quickly. According to the author, keeping items for months is less helpful than getting them back into use.

Some kids dislike wearing coats because coats feel bulky. The author explains that coats trap warm air close to the body, which helps prevent losing heat. The author also notes that getting cold can make it harder to focus in class. While the author understands the complaint, the author calls refusing a coat on a freezing day a poor trade. Comfort for a moment is not worth being cold for hours.