1.  Define the following vocabulary words as used in the article:

• unprecedented, assets, advocates, precipitate (from para. 1)
• provisions (from para. 4)
• severance pay (para. 5)
• executive compensation (para. 7)

2.  What will the bailout bill being voted on in Congress this week authorize Treasury secretary Henry Paulson to do? Be specific. (see paragraphs 2, 16-18)

3.  What is the purpose of the provisions that have been added to the bill?

4.  Describe the provisions that have been added to the bill (as explained in paragraphs 5-8).

5.  a) Under the proposed bill, how would limits on executive compensation be determined? 
b)  Do you agree with this method of limiting executive compensation?  Explain your answer.

6.  Why is the exact cost of the bailout estimated to be less than the $700 billion the bill would provide?

7.  Democrats hold the majority of the seats in the House and the Senate.  They could have passed this bill without the support of Republicans.  What was Congressman Anthony Weiner, a Democrat, implying when he told reporters yesterday "On a political level, people wanted to have the sense we were all stepping off the cliff together."?

8.  Share this article and the questions with a parent.  Ask his/her overall opinion on the bailout bill.