1. The first paragraph of a news article should answer the questions who, what, where and when. List the who, what, where and when of from the article. (NOTE: The remainder of a news article provides details on the why and/or how.)

2. a) List the names and ages of the current Supreme Court justices, the president who nominated each, along with the year nominated.
b) In what way did Sonia Sotomayor make history when she was confirmed to the Supreme Court?

3. For what reasons have some Democrats been considering asking Justice Sotomayor to resign?

4. Which judge has been discussed as a possible replacement for Justice Sotomayor?

5. What problems do Democrats face in trying to replace Justice Sotomayor before Trump and the new Republican majority Senate take office in January?

6. a) Why do you think no Democratic senator appears to be willing to be the first person who publicly calls for Sotomayor to step down?
b) Do you think Democrats should attempt to convince Justice Sotomayor to resign? Explain your answer.

7. It has been suggested that there should be an age limit for judges/Supreme Court justices. (Many justices were in their 80's when they retired. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was 87 when she died in office. Justice John Paul Stevens was a justice until he was 89.) What do you think? Should there be an age limit? If so, what age? Explain your answers.
b) It has also been suggested that Supreme Court Justices should be term limited - that they should be appointed to 18 year terms. What do you think? Ask a parent the same question.

8. Read the information under "Background." Do you think the role of a judge is that of judicial activist or to be a Constitutionalist (also called an originalist)? Explain your answer.