Summarizing a Text by Jackie Robinson

Summarizing a Text by Jackie Robinson

I can summarize a text

Multiple Choice

author’s purpose

• a small piece of information that contributes to a

  larger idea or story

• an author’s primary reason for writing a text, most

  often to inform, persuade, or entertain

• to write the central ideas of a text in your own

  words

• the most important idea in a text

Multiple Choice

central idea

• a small piece of information that contributes to a

  larger idea or story

• an author’s primary reason for writing a text, most

  often to inform, persuade, or entertain

• to write the central ideas of a text in your own

  words

• the most important idea in a text

Multiple Choice

detail

• a small piece of information that contributes to a

  larger idea or story

• an author’s primary reason for writing a text, most

  often to inform, persuade, or entertain

• to write the central ideas of a text in your own

  words

• the most important idea in a text

Multiple Choice

summarize

• a small piece of information that contributes to a

  larger idea or story

• an author’s primary reason for writing a text, most

  often to inform, persuade, or entertain

• to write the central ideas of a text in your own

  words

• the most important idea in a text

Multiple Choice

Read this paragraph.

Caffeine is found in chocolate, coffee, tea, sodas, and energy drinks. The amount of caffeine in these items varies greatly and is measured in milligrams. Some energy drinks contain as much as 160 milligrams of caffeine per serving. Caffeine is a stimulant, praised for its ability to maintain wakefulness.

What is the author’s purpose for writing this paragraph?

• to inform readers about caffeine facts

• to persuade readers to monitor caffeine intake

• to persuade readers to drink coffee to stay awake

• to entertain readers with a personal story about coffee

Multiple Choice

Read this paragraph from I Never Had It Made.

Branch Rickey lost that fight, but when he became the boss of the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1943, he felt the time for equality in baseball had come. He knew that achieving it would be terribly difficult. There would be deep resentment, determined opposition, and perhaps even racial violence. He was convinced he was morally right, and he shrewdly sensed that making the game a truly national one would have healthy financial results. He took his case before the startled directors of the club, and using persuasive eloquence, he won the first battle in what would be a long and bitter campaign. He was voted permission to make the Brooklyn club the pioneer in bringing blacks into baseball.

What is the author’s purpose for including this paragraph?

• to inform readers about Branch Rickey’s professional career

• to inform readers about Branch Rickey’s determination

• to persuade readers to admit black athletes into professional baseball

• to entertain readers with a story about Branch Rickey’s adventures

Multiple Choice

Read this excerpt from I Never Had It Made.

He had never forgotten the agony of that black athlete. When he became a front-office executive in St. Louis, he had fought, behind the scenes, against the custom that consigned black spectators to the Jim Crow section of the Sportsman's Park, later to become Busch Memorial Stadium. His pleas to change the rules were in vain. Those in power argued that if blacks were allowed a free choice of seating, white business would suffer.

Which statement best summarizes this excerpt?

• Because he learned so much as a coach, Rickey does a thorough job working as an executive at Sportsman’s Park.

• Inspired by the injustices he witnessed as a coach, Rickey tries unsuccessfully to change race rules about stadium seating.

• Rickey was bothered by the treatment of black athletes on his team, so he tries to help them find stadium jobs later in his career.

• Rickey remembers how unfairly his black athletes were treated, and he abolishes Jim Crow laws as soon as he has the power.

Multiple Choice

Read this excerpt from I Never Had It Made.

Here we go again, I thought. Another time-wasting experience. But Sukeforth looked like a sincere person, and I thought I might as well listen. I agreed to meet him that night. When we met, Sukeforth got right to the point. Mr. Rickey wanted to talk to me about the possibility of becoming a Brown Dodger. If I could get a few days off and go to Brooklyn, my fare and expenses would be paid. At first I said that I couldn't leave my team and go to Brooklyn just like that. Sukeforth wouldn't take no for an answer. He pointed out that I couldn't play for a few days anyhow because of my bum arm. Why should my team object?

I continued to hold out and demanded to know what would happen if the Monarchs fired me. The Dodger scout replied quietly that he didn't believe that would happen.

I shrugged and said I'd make the trip. I figured I had nothing to lose.

Which statement best summarizes this excerpt?

• Although Robinson is skeptical, Sukeforth convinces him to travel to Brooklyn to meet Rickey.

• Although Robinson is injured, Sukeforth convinces him he should play for the Dodgers.

• After Robinson hurts his arm, he takes a trip to Brooklyn to explain his injuries to Rickey.

• After Robinson meets Sukeforth, he expresses concerns about his job security with the Monarchs.

Multiple Choice

Read this excerpt from I Never Had It Made.

"That's what he was supposed to tell you," Mr. Rickey said. "The truth is you are not a candidate for the Brooklyn Brown Dodgers. I've sent for you because I'm interested in you as a candidate for the Brooklyn National League Club. I think you can play in the major leagues. How do you feel about it?"

My reactions seemed like some kind of weird mixture churning in a blender. I was thrilled, scared, and excited. I was incredulous. Most of all, I was speechless.

"You think you can play for Montreal?" he demanded.

I got my tongue back. "Yes," I answered.

Which statement best summarizes this excerpt?

• Rickey decides not to offer Robinson a contract to play for the Dodgers, and Robinson is disappointed.

• Rickey suggests that Robinson is the best athlete on the Brooklyn Brown Dodgers, and Robinson is grateful.

• When Rickey trades Robinson to Montreal, Robinson is too frightened to turn down the offer.

• When Rickey offers Robinson a job in the Major Leagues, Robinson is shocked.

Open Ended

Lesson Question: How can you determine an author’s reasons for writing?

Multiple Choice

Read this excerpt from I Never Had It Made.

He knew I would have terrible problems and wanted me to know the extent of them before I agreed to the plan. I was twenty-six years old, and all my life – back to the age of eight–I had believed in payback, retaliation. The most luxurious possession, the richest treasure anybody has, is his personal dignity. I looked at Mr. Rickey guardedly, and in that second I was looking at him not as a partner in a great experiment, but as the enemy –a white man. I had a question, and it was the age-old one about whether or not you sell your birthright.

"Mr. Rickey," I asked, "are you looking for a Negro who is afraid to fight back?"

I never will forget the way he exploded.

"Robinson," he said, "I'm looking for a ballplayer with guts enough not to fight back."

Which statement best summarizes this excerpt?

• Before accepting Rickey’s offer, Robinson confirms that Rickey respects him as a strong black man.

• Before becoming partners with Rickey, Robinson discusses what he will be paid for his efforts.

• When Robinson studies Rickey’s plan, he decides that Rickey is an enemy who cannot be trusted.

• When Robinson argues with Rickey, Rickey insists that there is no reason to disagree with his plan.

Multiple Choice

Read this paragraph.

When Javier arrived at his first meet, his coach jogged toward him breathlessly. He alerted Javier that swimmers were already lining up for his first event, the fifty-meter freestyle. The coach ushered him to the clerk of the course, signed him in, and got him seated with the other swimmers in his heat. Javier tugged on his cap and nervously tapped his feet. Soon the group was asked to proceed to the starting blocks. Javier glanced left and right, and the starter’s signal sounded. Before he knew it, he was reaching for the wall in his final stretch, with all of his competitors behind him. With relief, he confirmed that his time was the fastest.

Which statement best summarizes this paragraph?

• Even though his coach greets him and signs him in, Javier cannot relax before his first race.

• Despite his late arrival and the hectic start to his meet, Javier wins his first race.

• Javier is greeted by his coach and teammates, because they are counting on him to win.

• Javier does not understand the workings of a competitive swim meet, but his coach helps him.

Multiple Choice

Read this paragraph.

Jodi, Jan, and Seth peered out the window. They could not believe that a line was forming! Their flier had advertised tryouts for a garage band guitarist, because Epic Noise had been one musician short since their friend Zach moved to Michigan. Now it looked as though their need would be met. Eleven or twelve kids their age lined the driveway, some propping up oversize cases, and others with guitars strapped on their backs. The three hosts of the audition believed that they would find what they were listening for among the assembled crowd.

Which statement best summarizes this paragraph?

• Jodi, Jan, and Seth are hoping to form a band with the eleven or twelve kids lined up on the driveway.

• Jodi, Jan, and Seth hope to find a better guitarist than Zach, because he was not dedicated to the group.

• The Epic Noise band members are excited to perform for the group of kids assembled on the driveway.

• The Epic Noise band members are optimistic about their chances of filling their need for a guitarist at their audition.

Multiple Choice

Read this paragraph from I Never Had It Made.

I wasn't just another athlete being hired by a ball club. We were playing for big stakes. This was the reason Branch Rickey's search had been so exhaustive. The search had spanned the globe and narrowed down to a few candidates, then finally to me. When it looked as though I might be the number-one choice, the investigation of my life, my habits, my reputation, and my character had become an intensified study.

What is the author’s purpose for including this paragraph?

• to inform readers about Rickey’s thorough selection process

• to inform readers about Rickey’s distrust of Robinson

• to persuade readers that Robinson is the best athlete in the league

• to entertain readers with a story about Robinson and Rickey

Multiple Choice

Read this paragraph from History of Woman Suffrage, Volume I.

We have shown that woman is not correctly represented by man at the ballot-box. Could her voice be heard, it would alter the choice of public men and their character. With legislators compelled to respect her opinions, the law itself, constitutions, and politics reflect, to a just extent, her peculiar views and interests. Nor is it for us to decide whether these would be for the better or worse. Let the majority rule.

What is the author’s purpose for including this paragraph?

• to inform readers about voting restrictions

• to inform readers about a political movement

• to persuade readers that women deserve the right to vote

• to entertain readers with a story about women who become lawmakers

Multiple Choice

Read this excerpt from “Freedom's Plow” by Langston Hughes.

Labor! Out of labor came the rowboats

And the sailboats and the steamboats,

Came the wagons, and the coaches,

Covered wagons, stage coaches,

Out of labor came the factories,

Came the foundries, came the railroads.

What is happening in the excerpt?

• People are seeking adventure through travel.

• Factory owners are earning a fortune for their companies.

• America is progressing faster than other competing nations.

• Settlers are working to establish American industry.