Social Science Level 3 Passage 2

Here is my attempt at explaining passage level 3 P2, identifying key vocabulary, and providing answer justifications:

Passage Explanation:

The passage discusses the potential effects of new media technologies like social networking sites on democracy and politics. It presents the differing views of cyber-optimists, who think new media enhances democracy, and cyber-pessimists, who believe it does not. It evaluates their arguments about how new media affects minor political parties, increases political participation, and enables micro-blogging. The author concludes that new media is changing politics, with both benefits and limitations, regardless of its impact on democracy.

Important Vocabulary:

1. keenly - بحماس
   Meaning: eagerly, with great interest
2. concerns - يهتم
   Meaning: cares about, is interested in 
3. exposure - تعرض
   Meaning: visibility, attention 
4. realm - مجال
   Meaning: domain, sphere 
5. embedded - مضمنة 
   Meaning: incorporated, included
6. spearheaded - قاد
   Meaning: led, directed
7. watchdog - كلب حراسة
   Meaning: overseer, monitor 
8. scenario - سيناريو
   Meaning: situation, setting
9. inherently - ذاتيًا
   Meaning: intrinsically, by nature
10. pivotal - محوري
    Meaning: critical, crucial 
11. nuanced - متدرج
    Meaning: subtle, varied

Answer Explanations:

1. A - Lines 38-44 serve as evidence that the passage's purpose is to show how new media is changing politics, regardless of its precise impact on democracy.
2. B - Lines 10-14 provide examples of how minor parties can use new media, supporting answer B. 
3. D - Lines 28-33 discuss social media users influencing elections, aligning with answer D about the Pew data implying an effect on political events.
4. C - Lines 47-50 serve as evidence that the blogger Lixiaode aimed to influence public concerns and reshape the agenda, consistent with answer C.
5. A - Lines 59-63 explain there is nothing inherently democratic about new media, but benefits and limitations depend on how it's used. This matches answer A.
6. B - The chart shows Obama had the most Twitter followers, providing evidence for answer B about his high social media usage.
7. C - The passage indicates in lines 33-37 that Obama exemplified social media use and achieved victory, supporting answer C.
8. A - According to the chart, Obama had the most supporters on Facebook, aligning with answer A.
9. D - The chart shows McCain's supporters were not very active on these platforms, consistent with answer D.

Let me know if you need any clarification or have additional questions!

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