Question

Technology exists that allows school administrators to track students
movements using radio frequencies emitted by specialized name tags worn
around the students' arms or necks. Administrators claim that these radio-
frequency identification cards are necessary to keep accurate attendance totals,
speed lunch lines, and locate students quickly during emergencies. This tracking
capability, however, is an unnecessary infringement on students' Fourth
Amendment rights to be "secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects,
against unreasonable searches and seizures." It is akin to treating students like
mere domestic commodities that can be tracked as they are shipped.

Which best describes how the commodity metaphor affects the author's viewpoint
about student tracking tags?

1

2

3

The metaphor detracts from the author's viewpoint since the
tracking of commodities is an efficient process.

The metaphor aids the author's viewpoint by making the tags seem
dehumanizing rather than helpful.

The metaphor clarifies the author's viewpoint by detailing why
schools must use tracking tags.

Answer 1

2

The commodity metaphor reinforces the author's criticism by portraying the tags as dehumanizing — treating students like objects to be tracked — which supports the argument that the tracking is an unnecessary infringement.