Graph exercise: Americans speak out on terrorism.

• Position: Surveys - Brief Article

Even before the smoke cleared from the September 11 terrorist attacks, Americans were voicing their opinions about them and how the U.S. should respond. In the weeks following the attacks, various public opinion polls recorded Americans' views on how life had changed. This graph shows the percentage of American people who agree with statements 1 through 12 about terrorism, security measures, and relations with Arab-Americans. Use the data in this graph to answer the questions below.

Sources: The New York Times/CBS; Gallup Organization; CNN/USA Today; Pew Research Center.

Numbered bars show the percentage of Americans who agree with statements 1 through 12, below.

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1. The U.S. should take military action [against terrorists] even if thousands of American troops will be killed.

2. Americans will have to give up some freedoms to protect against terrorism.

3. Americans should carry IDs with detailed personal data.

4. It is OK to tap ordinary citizens' phones and e-mails.

5. Arab-Americans and Muslims will face some discrimination.

6. Arab-Americans are more sympathetic to terrorists than other Americans.

7. It is very important to kill or capture Osama bin Laden.

8. It is very important to remove Afghanistan's Taliban regime.

9. President Bush has clearly explained U.S. military action.

10. The war on terrorism will be a long process;

11. I am very confident that the U.S. will be able to prevent major acts of terrorism in the future.

12. We need to install metal detectors in public places.

1. About what percentage of Americans do not believe that it is very important to capture or kill Osama bin Laden?

2. Subtract the percentage who believe Arab-Americans are more sympathetic to terrorists from the percentage who believe Arab-Americans and Muslims will face some discrimination. What is the difference?

3. What evidence is there that Americans generally see the need to give up some freedoms to protect against terrorism, but...