Literary Analysis
Which statement best describes the narrator in “Don’t Just Sit There Like a Punk”?
a. a skilled basketball player who lacks confidence
b. an inexperienced basketball player who needs training
c. a successful basketball player who does not trust other players
d. an overconfident basketball player who needs a lesson in modesty
a. a skilled basketball player who lacks confidence
Why does the narrator in “Don’t Just Sit There Like a Punk” come to the gym regularly during the summer?
a. He plans to create his own team.
b. He wants to make new friends.
c. He hopes he will get to play.
d. He wants to find a mentor.
c. He hopes he will get to play.
Which of the following situations would most likely cause a person to be stunned?
a. being chosen to meet a star after her concert
b. doing well on a test after studying for weeks
c. buying something special after saving up for it
d. attending a local performance of a favorite play
a. being chosen to meet a star after her concert
What is a noun?
A noun is a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea.
In “Don’t Just Sit There Like a Punk,” what happens when Dante confronts the narrator?
a. The narrator feels ashamed, and he apologizes to Dante and the others.
b. The narrator feels ashamed, and he begs Dante to let him play in a game.
c. The narrator says he wants to play, and Dante gives him his spot in a game.
d. The narrator says he wants to play, and Dante says he likes the narrator after all.
c. The narrator says he wants to play, and Dante gives him his spot in a game.
Which statement best describes Dante’s point of view in “Don’t Just Sit There Like a Punk”?
a. Dante believes that it is important to challenge yourself.
b. Dante believes that you have to make your own opportunities.
c. Dante believes that talking makes it too hard for a person to think.
d. Dante believes that experienced players should not help new players.
b. Dante believes that you have to make your own opportunities.
If you found your way out of a maze by instinct, then which of the following must be true?
a. You tried several paths.
b. You had a compass to look at.
c. You found the way without thinking.
d. You prepared by studying mazes for months.
c. You found the way without thinking.
Give an example of a sentence using a possessive pronoun.
Example: Our house gets really cold in the winter.
In the following passage, which message or theme of “Don’t Just Sit There Like a Punk” is best supported?
"You’ll think this is the beginning of some meaningful mentorship, but it won’t be. In fact, Dante won’t say another word to you the rest of the summer."
a. It is important to know your place.
b. Anyone can get better with practice.
c. You cannot expect people to change.
d. Actions are more important than words.
d. Actions are more important than words.
Which quotation from “Don’t Just Sit There Like a Punk” most clearly supports Dante’s point of view?
a. “Nobody thinks you’re good enough to play here, comprende?”
b. “You wanna get in games, you don’t just sit there like a punk, right?”
c. “After the game you’ll climb the packed bleachers looking for him, but he’ll already be gone.”
d. “Maybe words just steal away your freedom to think for yourself.”
b. “You wanna get in games, you don’t just sit there like a punk, right?”
Which of the following best describes an intense look?
a. clearly amused
b. somewhat angry
c. mildly distracted
d. extremely focused
d. extremely focused
Identify the proper noun in this sentence: "Sarah went to the park."
"Sarah" is the proper noun.
In “Don’t Just Sit There Like a Punk,” what happens as a result of Dante’s challenge to the narrator?
a. The narrator is given an opportunity to play varsity.
b. The narrator shows that he is the best player at the gym.
c. Others see the narrator’s abilities and invite him to play.
d. Others see the narrator’s weakness and take pity on him
c. Others see the narrator’s abilities and invite him to play.
In “Don’t Just Sit There Like a Punk,” how does the narrator’s opinion of his “old man” change after his experience with Dante?
a. The narrator realizes his “old man” taught him to play better.
b. The narrator realizes his “old man” has always been there for him.
c. The narrator realizes his “old man” cares about how well he plays.
d. The narrator realizes his “old man” wants him to stand up for himself.
b. The narrator realizes his “old man” has always been there for him.
Use unexplainable in a sentence.
Example: She says that she has seen several unexplainable things in the sky.
What is a pronoun?
A pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun to avoid repetition.