Athletic Director’s Welcome Speech: Say Yes to Sport!
Part A
Which sentence best states the speaker’s claim in the speech?
A. Playing a team sport is a good form of exercise.
B. It is never too late to learn to play a team sport.
C. Team sports can have a positive effect on personality.
D. A person must have certain qualities to play team sports.
C. Team sports can have a positive effect on personality.
Which two details best help to develop the idea that team sports can improve a person’s confidence?
A “Success on the field can make you . . . willing to take on all sorts of challenges.” (paragraph 4)
B “However, it’s also fair to say that when you help your team win and you know the victory was possible because of your hard work, it is a pretty wonderful feeling.” (paragraph 4)
C “It’s true that putting forth your best effort and practicing good sportsmanship are more important than the final score.” (paragraph 4)
D “You have probably all heard someone say, ‘It doesn’t matter if you win or lose. It’s how you play the game.’” (paragraph 4)
E “Ask any athlete to tell you about an unforgettable triumph, and he’ll probably have plenty to say.” (paragraph 4)
A “Success on the field can make you . . . willing to take on all sorts of challenges.” (paragraph 4)
B “However, it’s also fair to say that when you help your team win and you know the victory was possible because of your hard work, it is a pretty wonderful feeling.” (paragraph 4)
What meaning does the word unflappable suggest in paragraph 4?
A Confident and difficult to upset
B Easily distracted and unsure
C Highly emotional and excitable
D Focused and willing to work hard
A Confident and difficult to upset
What change, if any, is necessary with the italicized portion of the following sentence?
If you have an interesting talent and you are willing to work hard to set a record such as being the world’s fastest cucumber eater, you won’t be doing it for big prize money. (paragraph 4)
A If you have an interesting talent; and you are willing to work hard to set a record such as being the world’s fastest cucumber eater, you won’t be doing it for big prize money.
B If you have an interesting talent, and you are willing to work hard to set a record such as being the world’s fastest cucumber eater, you won’t be doing it for big prize money.
C If you have an interesting talent. You are willing to work hard to set a record such as being the world’s fastest cucumber eater, you won’t be doing it for big prize money.
D correct as is
B If you have an interesting talent, and you are willing to work hard to set a record such as being the world’s fastest cucumber eater, you won’t be doing it for big prize money.
Part B
Which sentence from the text best supports the answer to Part A?
A “We all know that sports are a great way to stay healthy and fit.” (paragraph 1)
B “You will grow as a person through team sports, and the things you’ll learn will stay with you forever.” (paragraph 6)
C “Just as important, though, playing a team sport can change what’s on the inside.” (paragraph 1)
D “Playing sports can prepare you for this part of adult life.” (paragraph 2)
B “You will grow as a person through team sports, and the things you’ll learn will stay with you forever.” (paragraph 6)
Part A
What relationship does the author point out in paragraphs 4 and 5?
A the relationship between losing and one’s reputation
B the relationship between winning and one’s self-esteem
C the relationship between losing and hard work
D the relationship between winning and losing
D the relationship between winning and losing
What change, if any, is necessary with the italicized portion of the following sentence?
When you think about it trying to catch the most soft toys in 30 seconds while blindfolded (teams of two) sounds fun.
A When you think about it, trying to catch the most soft toys in 30 seconds while blindfolded (teams of two) sounds fun.
B When you think about it; trying to catch the most soft toys in 30 seconds while blindfolded (teams of two) sounds fun.
C When you think about it. Trying to catch the most soft toys in 30 seconds while blindfolded (teams of two) sounds fun.
D correct as is
A When you think about it, trying to catch the most soft toys in 30 seconds while blindfolded (teams of two) sounds fun.
Reread paragraph 5.
"Clearly, when you play a sport you want to win, but losing can be just as valuable. Picture this: after months of practice, your basketball team has made it all the way to the state championship. During the last game, which will decide which team is the best in Texas, every player tries her best. In spite of this, the final score is eighteen to thirty. You’re on the losing side. The coach assures your exhausted team that nobody could have worked any harder. Obviously, the outcome is not what anyone hoped for. However, learning to lose gracefully and deal with disappointment are important skills to develop. They can help you get on with life when someone else gets voted student council president, you can’t get tickets for a concert you were hoping to attend, or you don’t enjoy that summer job as much as you thought you would."
How does this paragraph support the overall structure of the speech?
A. By explaining that losing in sports can teach important life skills.
B. By showing how professional athletes overcome challenges to win.
C. By emphasizing the value of teamwork in achieving success.
D. By describing how winning in sports builds confidence and self-esteem.
A. By explaining that losing in sports can teach important life skills.
Part B
Which sentence from the text best supports the answer to Part A?
A “Reaching goals by working hard will naturally boost your self-esteem.” (paragraph 4)
B “It’s true that putting forth your best effort and practicing good sportsmanship are more important than the final score.” (paragraph 4)
C “Clearly, when you play a sport you want to win, but losing can be just as valuable.” (paragraph 5)
D “However, learning to lose gracefully and deal with disappointment are important skills to develop.” (paragraph 5)
C “Clearly, when you play a sport you want to win, but losing can be just as valuable.” (paragraph 5)
What change, if any, is necessary with the italicized portion of the following sentence?
That need comes from the desire to be accepted. (paragraph 4)
A tube
B two
C too
D correct as is
D correct as is
Determine which claims the author makes in support of team sports.
A. Sports encourage you to work toward a short-term goal.
B. Sports help you stay healthy and fit.
C. Sports teach you to lose gracefully and deal with disappointment.
D. Sports force you to spend long hours training to compete professionally.
E. Sports show how even standing on the sidelines can boost your self-esteem.
F. Sports give you the ability to relate to and work with others.
B. Sports help you stay healthy and fit.
C. Sports teach you to lose gracefully and deal with disappointment.
F. Sports give you the ability to relate to and work with others.
Part A
What sentence best states the main idea of paragraph 5?
A The best basketball team in any state can lose a championship game.
B Losing and dealing with disappointment can be beneficial for an athlete.
C It is possible to get on with life when someone else gets what you want.
D Sometimes, despite working very hard at a sport, it is possible to lose.
B Losing and dealing with disappointment can be beneficial for an athlete.
What change, if any, is necessary with the italicized portion of the following sentence?
But the team isn’t going to set the world record unless the team has found something it’s good at. (paragraph 3)
A it’s
B it
C its
D correct as it
B it
Determine which claims the author will not make in support of team sports.
A. Sports encourage you to work toward a short-term goal.
B. Sports help you stay healthy and fit.
C. Sports teach you to lose gracefully and deal with disappointment.
D. Sports force you to spend long hours training to compete professionally.
E. Sports show how even standing on the sidelines can boost your self-esteem.
F. Sports give you the ability to relate to and work with others.
A. Sports encourage you to work toward a short-term goal.
D. Sports force you to spend long hours training to compete professionally.
E. Sports show how even standing on the sidelines can boost your self-esteem.
Part B
How does the speaker support the main idea in paragraph 5?
A by providing examples related to sports and other areas of life
B by describing a personal experience he had as a young person
C by giving statistics that illustrate a common experience of athletes
D by presenting the opinion of an expert in the form of a quote
A by providing examples related to sports and other areas of life
What change, if any, is necessary with the italicized portion of the following sentence?
Therefore, I think basic world record seekers want to stand out and be noticed for there uniqueness.
(paragraph 2)
A they're
B they
C their
D correct as is
C their