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							                Ohio Graduation Test for Social Studies – March 2005
                                Annotated Item 10


Standard and Benchmark Assessed:

Standard: Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities
Benchmark: B. Explain how individual rights are relative, not absolute, and describe the
              balance between individual rights, the rights of others, and the common good.


Multiple Choice Question:

In the United States, a citizen’s exercise of speech and expression may be legally restricted
when that individual
A.    threatens public safety.
B.    opposes public opinion.
C. criticizes public officials.
D. condemns public institutions.

Commentary:

This multiple-choice question asks students to identify a circumstance under which freedom of
speech and expression may be legally restricted. The answer is A. Responses B, C and D fall
within the realm of protected speech, whereas specific threats to public safety are generally
considered to be sufficient grounds to limit the exercise of speech.

Performance Data:

The percent of public school students selecting answer choice A for question 10 on the March
2005 Ohio Graduation Test was 85%.

Keywords: Individual rights, public safety




Source: Ohio Department of Education                                                      July 05