Story: U.S. Economy Shows Improved Growth, 11/03/03
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/features/july-dec03/gdp_11-03.html

Reading Comprehension Questions:

1. What is the GDP?

2. In what areas of the economy did the Commerce Department report show improvement?

3. How did tax cuts help the economy, according to President Bush?

4. Has the unemployment situation improved as a result of the high growth rate? Explain.

5. What has been one of the major criticisms against Pres. Bush by his Democratic opponents in the current presidential campaign?

Discussion Activity (more research might be needed):

1. How does the health of the U.S. economy affect teens?

2. Do you think the president's tax cuts created the economic growth? What other factors could be credited?

3. Should the United States spend taxpayer dollars on rebuilding Iraq after the war? Or should that money be used to improve the economic situation at home? If the money should be spent at home, how would you use it?

4. If you were Pres. Bush, what successes would you focus on as you planned your campaign for re-election? In what areas would you try to focus less attention?

Write a 300-500 word essay on any of these topics providing clear examples. Send your completed editorial to NewsHour Extra [extra@newshour.org]. Exceptional essays might be published on our Web site.