1. Are people paid FAIRLY?

The president of the United States earns $400,000 a year. A Wall Street stock trader can earn
even more, while a first-year New York City police officer earns less than $45,000. Is this fair? In
the editorials that follow, two writers offer opposite opinions about the multimillion-dollar
salaries today’s professional athletes make.

Write a paragraph (at least 5 sentences) in this document, to argue if you agree with this or
not. Provide your reasons. (Turn in on Google classroom)

I don't think that it is fair. The police officers should get paid more because they do more dangerous jobs
to save live. Professional athletes get a whole lot of money for playing a sport that they love to play. The
president should get more money than everyone because he has the responsibility of making decisions
that could change the future of the world. I don't think that all people get paid fairly.

Vocabulary in Context
The underlined words help these authors construct their arguments. To see how many you
know, substitute a different word or phrase for each underlined term. Write the word beside
each sentence. Number one is done for you.

1. Star Player’s Compensation Shoots Up to $15 Million. Answer=Payment

2. Brevity of Pitcher’s Career Caused by Arm Injury. Answer=Shorting
3. Umpire Call Challenged by Dissenter. Answer=Disagree
4. Coach’s Entitlement to Special Treatment Questioned. Answer=Right
5. Appalling Brawl in Bleachers Injures 20. Answer=Awful
6. Voracious Fans Can’t Get Enough of Home Team. Answer=Eager
 Next, read pages 960-964 in your red Literature
book and complete the chart on the next page by
filling in the boxes with reasons/examples to
support each claim.
Claim: Pro Athletes’ Salaries Aren’t Overly
Exorbitant

Support: Support: Support:

Claim: “Athletes are paid far too much for

simply playing games.”

Support: Support: Support