Keeping Cool
100 Which famous tennis player did Samuel see that began to influence how he thought about the sport?
Roger Federer
— 100 What sport did Samuel play as a little kid that led to frustration?
soccer
100 Define "uncontrollable" as used in the passage.
impossible to control or manage
100 What is the main purpose of the first paragraph under "No Control"?
struggling with anger
100 What can you infer about Samuel's age when he played soccer as a "little kid"? Explain briefly.
He was very young.
200 What emotion did Samuel say tennis first made him feel when he missed a point?
Mad
200 Give one example from the passage of Samuel's behavior when he became angry playing
He would get upset and think about the mistake for the whole game for the rest of the day.
200 Which definition best matches "frustration" from the vocabulary list?
annoyance because of a lack of progress
200 Identify the section of the passage that lists vocabulary words. Why does the author include this list between the introduction and the body paragraphs?
To view before finishing the article
200 Based on the passage, why might a team sport like soccer have been less helpful for Samuel than tennis? Use inference plus one textual detail.
Soccer there were other players on the team. Tennis
it was just him and his opponent.
300 How did switching from soccer to tennis help Samuel with his emotions? Give one specific reason from the passage.
He knew he needed to work hard to get control of his anger.
300 Why did Samuel's parents think sports might help him? Cite the passage.
Teach him discipline
300 Explain how the word "discipline" applies to Samuel's experience in tennis. Use the passag
self-control and focus
300 How does the author organize Samuel's story to show change over time? Name two structural features that help with this.
No Control, Keeping Cool
300 Samuel says he "wanted to quit" after a week of tennis. What does this reveal about his initial perseverance and how is that contrasted later? Support your answer with text.
He was use to the sport and then he learn how to play well.
400 Describe a concrete action Samuel might have learned from tennis that shows increased discipline. Use evidence from the passage.
The coaches taught Samuel helpful ways to deal with strong feelings. Focusing on breathing to calm you down.
400 The passage says Samuel's emotions were "all over the place" during his first week of tennis. What does that phrase mean in this context? Use text evidence.
I wanted to quit, I couldn't hit a single ball. a familiar feeling would bubble up inside me.
400 Use the word "recover" in a sentence that reflects Samuel's situation after he began tennis.
return to a normal or healthy state
400 Find a sentence that functions as a transition between Samuel's past behavior and his decision to switch sports. Quote it and explain its role.
So that's when I started playing tennis
400 Infer why Samuel's parents suggested sports would teach him discipline. Which lines from the passage support your inference?
Because he would have mentors and coaches for guidance.
500 Explain how the image of flinching at a pretend slap helps the reader understand Samuel's experience of anger. What does this comparison reveal about his reactions?
His anger hits him quick.
500 How does Samuel's description of his past actions on the soccer field ("makes me cringe now") develop the theme of personal growth? Provide two pieces of textual support.
kicking balls at players who made me angry.
threw fits when he missed a goal.
blow up at any frustration
500 Choose two vocabulary words from the list and explain how each contributes to the overall message of the passage. Provide textual evidence.
Potential, mentors
500 Analyze how the headings ("No Control" and "Keeping Cool") shape a reader's expectations and understanding of the passage's main ideas. Use specific examples.
No control-Frustration
Keeping Cool- finding ways to stay calm.
500 Identify two pieces of textual evidence that show Samuel experienced long-term change, not just a temporary improvement. Explain how each piece supports that claim.
I try focusing on encouraging myself
and learn how to deal with anger.