Question

Read the following paragraph from a sociology textbook written by Brad Dudley:

Most people learn about acceptable behavior from their families, friends, and communities. It is human nature to want to fit in and be accepted, and that is a powerful force behind the development of social norms. These unwritten rules of conduct are more important to maintaining an orderly society than laws.

Which option below accurately paraphrases the paragraph without plagiarizing it?


In his book, Brad Dudley writes that proper conduct is learned from one’s community, friends, and family. Although these principles of behavior are not written down like laws, they are even more vital to preserving society.


Laws don’t do as much to preserve society as the need to fit in with family, friends, and neighbors.


Sociologist Brad Dudley believes that peer pressure does more to ensure proper behavior and preserve order than legal rules and regulations.


Dudley, author and sociologist, suggests that people who don’t conform to accepted standards of behavior will destroy a society.

Answer 1

The first option.

It restates the original idea in new words (behavior is learned from family/friends/community; unwritten rules matter more than laws) without copying the textbook wording. The others are either too simplified (B), introduce a misleading term (“peer pressure”) that changes the tone (C), or misstate the claim (D).