Anchor Papers ~ Government ~ Item 46


	Item 46 Anchor Papers

In order to make driving safer, some citizens want a law prohibiting drivers from using cell phones while driving. Explain the economic costs and benefits of this law if it is passed.

Based on the costs and benefits, do you support or oppose the law? Explain why.

Include details and examples to support your answer.
Write your answer on the lines in your Answer Book.

Score Level 1 Anchor Paper
This response is related to the question and shows only minimal knowledge. A fragment of a basic idea (cost a lot of money for the government to make sure this law is obeyed) is presented, but the idea is skeletal and incomplete.
Score Level 1 Anchor Paper
This response is related to the question and shows only minimal knowledge. Although fragments of basic ideas (help insurance companies and accident victims; save lives and money) are provided, the ideas are general and skeletal.
Score Level 2 Anchor Paper
This response shows knowledge of issues related to banning cell phone use while driving. Basic ideas (less accidents on the road; people putting themselves and others on the road in danger) are presented. The response is adequate for a score of "2."
Score Level 2 Anchor Paper
This response shows knowledge of issues related to banning cell phone use while driving. Basic ideas (car companies will have to spend more money on built-in phones; cell phone companies will have less demand) are provided with a little support (these cars will cost more than normal cars; less people will need cell phones if they won't be allowed to use them in traffic).
Score Level 2 Anchor Paper
This response shows knowledge of issues related to banning cell phone use while driving. Basic ideas (people won't be able to do as much work or be as productive while driving; it will prevent a great many accidents and save many lives and a great deal of money) are presented. A little support (harm the economy in a minor way; insurance; people could pull over if they wish to make an emergency call) is provided.
Score Level 3 Anchor Paper
This response shows some understanding of issues related to banning cell phone use while driving. Concepts are accurate and supported (accidents caused by drivers using cell phones will decrease; have to spend money to make sure people are not violating the law). Some evidence of higher order thinking skills is demonstrated through the application of analysis (hire more police officers; give workers more hours) and evaluation (there are just as many costs to pay for officers to patrol the streets as it is to pay for accidents).
Score Level 3 Anchor Paper
This response shows some understanding of issues related to banning cell phone use while driving. Concepts are accurate and supported (cell phone companies will lose money; it is an inconvenience for people who need to make important calls; will cause drivers to pay closer attention to the road and traffic). Some evidence of higher order thinking skills is provided through appropriate application of cause-and-effect reasoning (this could lead to people pulling over which would congest traffic) and analysis and evaluation (saves time and energy; if someone needs to pick up an item they can call in that part of town).
Score Level 3 Anchor Paper
This response shows some understanding of issues related to banning cell phone use while driving. Accurate concepts are supported (business will not be completed as efficiently; reduced incidents of car accidents would result in less money lost). Appropriate application of analysis (businessmen won't be able to conduct business by phone when they drive; car repairs, car insurance, and medical bills) and weighing of competing interests (the costs are minimal and apply to a small group of people while the benefits are large and widespread) show some evidence of higher order thinking skills.
Score Level 4 Anchor Paper
This response shows understanding of issues related to banning cell phone use while driving. Concepts (bad for businesses; decrease auto accidents) are accurate and well supported. Extended application of analysis (more productive; staff production remains high) and cause-and-effect reasoning (decreases profitability; prevents hardships) provide powerful evidence of higher order thinking skills.
Score Level 4 Anchor Paper
This response shows understanding of issues related to banning cell phone use while driving. Accurate concepts (raising government costs; decreased accidents and more fines) are well supported. Application of cause-and-effect reasoning (an increase in cases going to court raises government court costs; with the increase in fine money due to people breaking the law the government may be able to fund more programs; the state of Maryland would be protecting its citizens by reducing accidents), integrated with extended analysis and evaluation (the government may need to hire more police officers to arrest those breaking the law; more fines for the government to gain money; may help solve the Maryland budget deficit; a major goal of government is to protect people), demonstrates powerful evidence of higher order thinking skills.

Anchor Papers ~ Government ~ Item 46

Score Level 1 Anchor Paper
This response is related to the question and shows only minimal knowledge. A fragment of a basic idea (cost a lot of money for the government to make sure this law is obeyed) is presented, but the idea is skeletal and incomplete.

Score Level 1 Anchor Paper
This response is related to the question and shows only minimal knowledge. Although fragments of basic ideas (help insurance companies and accident victims; save lives and money) are provided, the ideas are general and skeletal.

Score Level 2 Anchor Paper
This response shows knowledge of issues related to banning cell phone use while driving. Basic ideas (less accidents on the road; people putting themselves and others on the road in danger) are presented. The response is adequate for a score of "2."

Score Level 2 Anchor Paper
This response shows knowledge of issues related to banning cell phone use while driving. Basic ideas (car companies will have to spend more money on built-in phones; cell phone companies will have less demand) are provided with a little support (these cars will cost more than normal cars; less people will need cell phones if they won't be allowed to use them in traffic).

Score Level 2 Anchor Paper

This response shows knowledge of issues related to banning cell phone use while driving. Basic ideas (people won't be able to do as much work or be as productive while driving; it will prevent a great many accidents and save many lives and a great deal of money) are presented. A little support (harm the economy in a minor way; insurance; people could pull over if they wish to make an emergency call) is provided.

Score Level 3 Anchor Paper

This response shows some understanding of issues related to banning cell phone use while driving. Concepts are accurate and supported (accidents caused by drivers using cell phones will decrease; have to spend money to make sure people are not violating the law). Some evidence of higher order thinking skills is demonstrated through the application of analysis (hire more police officers; give workers more hours) and evaluation (there are just as many costs to pay for officers to patrol the streets as it is to pay for accidents).

Score Level 3 Anchor Paper

This response shows some understanding of issues related to banning cell phone use while driving. Concepts are accurate and supported (cell phone companies will lose money; it is an inconvenience for people who need to make important calls; will cause drivers to pay closer attention to the road and traffic). Some evidence of higher order thinking skills is provided through appropriate application of cause-and-effect reasoning (this could lead to people pulling over which would congest traffic) and analysis and evaluation (saves time and energy; if someone needs to pick up an item they can call in that part of town).

Score Level 3 Anchor Paper

This response shows some understanding of issues related to banning cell phone use while driving. Accurate concepts are supported (business will not be completed as efficiently; reduced incidents of car accidents would result in less money lost). Appropriate application of analysis (businessmen won't be able to conduct business by phone when they drive; car repairs, car insurance, and medical bills) and weighing of competing interests (the costs are minimal and apply to a small group of people while the benefits are large and widespread) show some evidence of higher order thinking skills.

Score Level 4 Anchor Paper
This response shows understanding of issues related to banning cell phone use while driving. Concepts (bad for businesses; decrease auto accidents) are accurate and well supported. Extended application of analysis (more productive; staff production remains high) and cause-and-effect reasoning (decreases profitability; prevents hardships) provide powerful evidence of higher order thinking skills.

Score Level 4 Anchor Paper

This response shows understanding of issues related to banning cell phone use while driving. Accurate concepts (raising government costs; decreased accidents and more fines) are well supported. Application of cause-and-effect reasoning (an increase in cases going to court raises government court costs; with the increase in fine money due to people breaking the law the government may be able to fund more programs; the state of Maryland would be protecting its citizens by reducing accidents), integrated with extended analysis and evaluation (the government may need to hire more police officers to arrest those breaking the law; more fines for the government to gain money; may help solve the Maryland budget deficit; a major goal of government is to protect people), demonstrates powerful evidence of higher order thinking skills.