Author's Purpose & Perspective
Part A: What is the author’s purpose in the text?
To argue why Jay Z is one of the most successful rappers of all time.
To explain how Jay Z and Beyonce remain private despite their fame and superstar status.
To illustrate how much power and influence Jay Z has over today’s hip-hop and sports industries.
To showcase how Jay Z overcame his childhood experiences to become a successful businessman and famous celebrity.
To showcase how Jay Z overcame his childhood experiences to become a successful businessman and famous celebrity.
Read the song lyric below.
“I went to school, got good grades, could behave when I wanted/ But I had demons deep inside that would raise when confronted.” (Paragraph 3)
What does the phrase “demons deep inside” mean in this selection? (RI.2.4)
He was possessed by the devil.
He was easily provoked to fight.
He was capable of anger and violence.
He was a good student most of the time.
He was capable of anger and violence.
Part A: Select the sentence from paragraph 13 of the text that shows Jay Z’s view on his success.
Ⓐ Jay Z's other business ventures include the popular clothing line Rocawear and Roc-A-Fella Films. Ⓑ He also owns the 40/40 Club, an upscale sports bar chain. Ⓒ In 2012, Jay Z became part owner of the Brooklyn Nets basketball franchise. Ⓓ In 2013, he launched a full-service sports management company, Roc Nation Sports, and sold his Brooklyn Nets shares. Ⓔ As Jay Z once rapped about his business empire, ‘I'm not a businessman/ I'm a business, man.’
As Jay Z once rapped about his business empire, ‘I'm not a businessman/ I'm a business, man.’
How did Jay Z get his name?
an homage to Jaz-O, a play on Carter's childhood nickname of "Jazzy" and a reference to the J/Z subway station near his Brooklyn home.
Part B: How does the author use the section “Political and Charitable Work” to achieve their purpose?
To explain how Jay Z's music career is over so he invests time in politics
To highlight how Jay Z uses his fame to support causes that he feels are important
To show that Jay Z is thinking of adding to his resume by beginning a political career
To show that Jay Z's real fame began when he started speaking out about political causes
To highlight how Jay Z uses his fame to support causes that he feels are important
Part A: Read the excerpt below:
"Rosa Parks sat so that Martin Luther King could walk. Martin Luther King walked so that Obama could run. Obama's running so we all can fly." (Paragraph 15)
Select the tone created by Jay Z in the excerpt.
Hopeful
Cheerful
Interested
Exhausted
Hopeful
Part B: What key idea from the passage does the sentence chosen in Part A support?
Jay Z is able to start businesses that support his rap career.
Jay Z’s talent for lyrics and wordplay are what made him famous.
Jay Z’s fame and fortune has come from more than just being a rapper.
Jay Z is the most successful and famous hip hop artist in recent history.
Jay Z’s fame and fortune has come from more than just being a rapper.
Why did Jay Z go into retirement in 2003?
He had simply gotten bored due to the lack of competition.
Part A: Select the best explanation of how the author uses conflicting evidence to develop the point of view in the text. (RI.2.6)
The author includes fan anecdotes to emphasize the extent of Jay Z’s popularity.
The author addresses doubts that critics may have about Jay Z’s fame and success.
The author refutes claims about why Jay Z retired then returned to the music industry.
The author uses celebrity rivals as examples to showcase Jay Z’s superiority as a rapper.
The author addresses doubts that critics may have about Jay Z’s fame and success.
Part B: Select three phrases that help create this tone.
Rosa Parks sat
so that Martin Luther King could walk
Martin Luther King walked
so that Obama could run
Obama's running
so we all can fly
so that Martin Luther King could walk
so that Obama could run
Part A: What is the best description of Paragraph 4’s structure?
“Carter turned to rap at a young age as an escape from the drugs, violence and poverty of his youth. In 1989, he joined the rapper Jaz-O — an older performer who served as his mentor — to record the song ‘The Originators.’ It was at this point that Shawn Carter embraced the nickname Jay-Z, which was also an homage to Jaz-O, a play on Carter's childhood nickname of ‘Jazzy’ and a reference to the J/Z subway station near his Brooklyn home.” (Paragraph 4)
An argument against drug usage and gun violence.
An explanation of the beginning of Jay Z’s rap career.
A comparison of Jay Z to other rap artists who escaped poverty.
A chronological sequence of Jay Z’s childhood and teenage years.
An explanation of the beginning of Jay Z’s rap career.
What are two businesses Jay Z built?
Answers may vary
Part B: Select a sentence from the text that supports the explanation from Part A. (RI.2.6 and RI.1.1)
Ⓐ But even though he had a stage name, Jay Z remained relatively anonymous until he and two friends founded their own record label, Roc-A-Fella Records, in 1996. Ⓑ In June of that year, Jay Z released his debut album, "Reasonable Doubt." Ⓒ Although the record reached only No. 23 on the Billboard charts, it is now considered a classic hip-hop album, including songs such as "Can't Knock the Hustle," featuring Mary J. Blige, and "Brooklyn's Finest," a collaboration with Notorious B.I.G. Ⓓ "Reasonable Doubt" established Jay Z as an emerging star in hip-hop.
Ⓒ Although the record reached only No. 23 on the Billboard charts, it is now considered a classic hip-hop album, including songs such as "Can't Knock the Hustle," featuring Mary J. Blige, and "Brooklyn's Finest," a collaboration with Notorious B.I.G.
Describe how Jay Z is an entrepreneur
Answers may vary
Part B: How does this structure impact the meaning of this section?
It reveals how Jay Z got his start in hip hop and created his stage name.
It allows the reader to understand the humble beginnings Jay Z came from.
It gives the reader enough information to determine how successful hip hop is.
It gives value to the argument that hip hop can help a person escape bad situations.
It reveals how Jay Z got his start in hip hop and created his stage name.
Who is Jay Z married to?
Beyonce