1. UNDER PRESSURE

President Trump has signed a new executive order to change how water flow is regulated in American shower heads. He says that current shower heads don’t release enough water, making it hard for people—like himself—to take fast or satisfying showers. Trump has long complained about low water pressure, especially in newer homes and buildings. His order brings back a rule that lets each shower nozzle release more water, instead of limiting the total amount for the entire shower head. Similar changes were made during his first term but were later reversed by President Biden. While Trump believes this change will improve people’s showers, energy experts say most manufacturers never changed their designs in the first place and that low water pressure is usually caused by plumbing problems, not federal rules. Imagine you are part of a government team that helps decide which everyday problems should be turned into national policies. After reading about President Trump’s focus on shower heads and water pressure, your job is to come up with your own idea for a small but meaningful change that could help people in their daily lives—like improving school lunches, fixing sidewalk safety, or upgrading public bathrooms. Write a paragraph describing your idea, why it matters, and how it could be turned into a rule or law. Be sure to explain how it would help people and whether it would be worth the government’s time and money to make it happen.

2. PRO BONO

Five large law firms have agreed to give $600 million worth of free legal help to support causes backed by President Trump. These deals were made after the Trump administration threatened to punish firms that hired lawyers who disagreed with the president or supported ideas he opposes, like diversity in hiring. Some law firms agreed to the deals to avoid government restrictions, while others are fighting back in court, saying Trump’s orders are unfair and unconstitutional. Critics argue that the president is pressuring law firms to do what he wants, and that giving in to this pressure could hurt the independence of the legal system in the future. Write a paragraph explaining why some law firms are agreeing to do free legal work for the Trump administration. Then, explain why other firms are choosing to fight back in court. In your opinion, should law firms give in to pressure from the government, or stand up for what they believe is right? Use one example from the summary to support your answer.

3. TRUMP’S NEW TACTIC

The Trump administration is using a new method to pressure immigrants with temporary legal status to leave the United States. Some people have had their Social Security numbers canceled by being added to a government list usually meant for people who have died. This change makes it hard for them to use money, open bank accounts, or get government benefits. Officials say this is only being done to people with criminal records or ties to terrorism, but experts worry that innocent people, including U.S. citizens, could be added by mistake. Critics say the move is unfair and dangerous, while supporters say it helps enforce immigration laws. The Social Security office is now sharing private information, like home addresses, with immigration officers—something it didn’t do in the past. Some worry this could lead to serious problems, especially if people are added to the death list by mistake and can’t fix it easily. Write a paragraph explaining why the Trump administration is using the Social Security “death list” as a way to pressure certain immigrants to leave the country. Then, explain one possible problem with this plan. Do you think this is a fair way to enforce immigration rules? Why or why not? Use facts from the article to support your opinion, and make sure your paragraph has a clear beginning, middle, and end.

4. TROUBLE FOR N.O.A.A.

The Trump administration has proposed a major budget cut that would shut down much of the scientific research at NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NOAA is known for studying the ocean, climate change, and weather, and its research helps create early warnings for natural disasters like hurricanes and tornadoes. The plan would cut funding by hundreds of millions of dollars and remove support for programs that study coral reefs, pollution, and rising sea levels. Some parts of NOAA, like tornado and ocean research, would be moved to other offices, but many scientists worry that this plan would weaken weather forecasting and climate research across the country. Critics say the government is ignoring the importance of science and could be putting people in danger by making it harder to prepare for extreme weather and environmental problems. Write a paragraph explaining what NOAA does and why it is important for the U.S. to fund scientific research on the ocean, weather, and climate. Then, describe one possible effect of cutting NOAA’s research programs, especially for people who live in areas that are affected by natural disasters. Do you think this is a good plan or a bad one? Use at least one fact from the summary to support your opinion and explain your reasoning clearly.

5. THE DANGERS OF CONCUSSIONS

Sébastien Chabal, a famous French rugby player, says he can’t remember any part of his professional career—not the games, the trophies, or even singing the national anthem—because of memory loss caused by concussions. Chabal, known for his fierce playing style and nicknames like “The Caveman,” was once one of France’s top athletes. He played in 62 matches for the national team and became a well-known figure in sports. But now, he says it feels like someone else lived his life because he can’t remember it. He also says he doesn’t remember important personal moments, like his daughter’s birth. Although many former athletes are taking legal action over brain injuries, Chabal hasn’t seen a doctor because he doesn’t believe his memory can be fixed. His story has brought more attention to the dangers of concussions in sports like rugby and soccer. Imagine you are a journalist writing an article for your school newspaper about the risks of concussions in sports. Use what you learned from Sébastien Chabal’s story to write a short news report. In your paragraph, include who Chabal is, what happened to him, and why his story is important. Then explain why students, parents, and coaches should care about concussion safety.