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Directions: Choose one of the five prompts below. Structure your essay with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Use specific examples from The Dark Knight Returns to support your analysis. You are encouraged to reflect on how your personal experiences, views, or observations relate to the themes in the novel. Essay Prompts: 1. The Role of Aging in Batman’s Character ArcIn The Dark Knight Returns, Bruce Wayne’s age is a key factor in shaping his return to being Batman. Reflect on how Frank Miller portrays aging in Batman’s character arc. How does Bruce Wayne’s age influence his physical and psychological approach to crime-fighting in Books 1 and 2? Do you think his age makes him more or less effective as a hero? Use examples from the novel to support your argument, and reflect on how your own understanding of aging informs your interpretation. 2. Gotham City as a Reflection of SocietyGotham City is depicted as chaotic and crime-ridden in The Dark Knight Returns. In Books 1 and 2, how do Gotham’s decay and crime levels reflect broader societal issues? Does Gotham feel realistic to you in any way, and how does it compare to real-world cities or societies you’ve experienced or observed? Use examples from the text and your own observations to support your argument. 3. Batman and Superman’s Contrasting Moral CodesIn Book 2, we start to see hints of the growing tension between Batman and Superman. How do their differing approaches to justice and morality begin to emerge in these sections of the novel? How do these differences reflect your own views on justice and power? Use examples from Books 1 and 2 to explore this dynamic, and connect it to your personal understanding of justice. 4. The Internal Conflict of Bruce WayneThroughout Books 1 and 2, Bruce Wayne struggles with the internal conflict between his desire for a normal life and his sense of responsibility to Gotham. Reflect on a moment from the novel where this conflict is most apparent. How does Bruce’s internal battle resonate with any personal experiences or conflicts you’ve faced? How do you interpret his decision to return to being Batman despite his struggles? 5. The Media’s Role in Shaping Public OpinionThe media plays a crucial role in shaping Gotham’s perception of Batman and the crime wave in The Dark Knight Returns. How do you think the media’s portrayal of Batman in Books 1 and 2 affects how the public sees him? Can you compare this to how modern media shapes opinions about public figures or events today? Reflect on the similarities or differences between Miller’s portrayal of the media and your own experiences with current media. Essay Requirements: Length: Minimum of 300 words Structure: Introduction, body paragraphs, conclusion Support: Include at least two specific examples from The Dark Knight Returns (Books 1 and 2) to support your ideas. Personal Reflection: You may use first-person perspective to express your views and connect your personal experiences to the themes in the novel. Grading Criteria: Understanding of the Novel (40%): Demonstrates clear understanding of The Dark Knight Returns and relevant themes from Books 1 and 2. Personal Reflection (30%): Connects personal experiences, opinions, or observations to the themes in the novel. Organization and Clarity (20%): Follows a clear essay structure (introduction, body paragraphs, conclusion) and presents ideas in a logical, well-organized way. Grammar and Mechanics (10%): Demonstrates appropriate grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

By 2100, it is thought that ______________ individuals or about 3% of the population may be a result of IVF.

Which of the following statements about eye movements in reading is true? (Select all that apply)

_____________ is defined as the failure to achieve a clinical pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse.

Match the terms on the left to the best description on the right.

What do the balanced scorecard metrics not measure directly?

Grade Franklin Pierce’s Foreign Policy:Foreign policies include all legislation, political agendas, attitudes, and activities relating to the United States’ relations with other countries and international organizations. This area includes issues relating to diplomacy, statecraft, military and warfare, foreign trade and agreements, alliances with foreign powers, and activities relating to international organizations. Like domestic policies, this is a sweeping category and one that should be given considerable attention while grading your presidential report card

William Henry Harrison’s Legislative Success, Appointments, and the Executive Office of the President:In this area you will evaluate a president’s management of the executive office of the president (White House staff, advisors, aides, cabinet members, and federal agencies), the president’s level of success in terms of convincing congress to pass the president’s legislative agenda, and the quality of the president’s federal appointments (judicial and otherwise). While every president has an agenda, not every president is able to successfully guide their agenda items through congress; your job is to determine how well a president does that. This category considers the ability of presidents to surround themselves with quality people and their ability to assign judgeships and federal positions effectively.

Grade Andrew Jackson’s Integrity:Integrity refers to the president’s honesty, lack of corruption, and strong moral principles (or the opposite of these things). You will be asked to examine if the president had scandals, underhanded dealings, or if they misled the American people. Consider whether the president made decisions guided by a strong moral compass or if they committed extra-legal abuses of power. Evaluate how the president’s integrity affected the person’s ability to effectively run the country (for example, was a personal scandal a distraction? Did political corruption prevent effective governance? Did a commitment to integrity actually limit the president’s power?).

Grade Abraham Lincoln’s Non-Presidential Life:Many times, a president makes as much, if not more, of an impact outside of the White House than inside. In other cases, presidents have unremarkable public lives outside of the Oval Office. In this category, your job is to evaluate how much of an impact on America (positive, negative, or neutral) a president had both prior to and after assuming the presidency. Be sure to describe the president’s background, career, and accomplishments when evaluating their non-presidential contributions.