Amigo Brothers

Amigo Brothers

by Piri Thomas

Background: What are the Golden Gloves?

In boxing, the “Golden Gloves” refers to a name that is given to a tournament strictly designed for amateur (unpaid) boxers in the United States. The first Golden Gloves tournament took place in 1923 in Chicago. During that time, all of the amateur (unpaid) boxers who won their fights received miniature golden gloves as their prizes. Ever since that time, Golden Glove boxing has become a deep and integral part of the amateur (unpaid) boxing scene in the United States.

Background: Past Winners

Many Golden Gloves champions went on to become professional world champions. Among them were Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Robinson, Barney Ross, Floyd Patterson, and Sugar Ray Leonard. Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali) won six national and local Golden Gloves titles, the first at age 14.

Poll

Based on background information is it reasonable to infer that winners of the Golden Gloves competition will most likely become professional (paid) boxers.

• I agree

• I disagree

Background: What are the Golden Gloves in boxing important for?

To win a Golden Gloves competition, fighters must be prepared physically and mentally. Many of these amateur fighters train for many years before entering a tournament like this. While the challenges associated with Golden Gloves competition is generally very hard, it’s also worth it. They can provide a fighter with the exposure that they need to possibly fight on a professional level and/or receive sponsors.

Barrage

the heavy fire of artillery to saturate an area.

Antonio then beat the air with a barrage of body blows and short devastating lefts with an overhand, jawbreaking right.

Bedlam

a noisy confusion.

Bedlam broke loose as Felix’s legs momentarily buckled. He fought off a series of rights and lefts and came back with a strong right that taught Antonio respect.

Clarity

clearness of mind.

The cold-water sponges brought clarity to both amigo brothers.

Multiple Choice

Choose the word that is

similar in meaning to the boldfaced word or phrase.

The noise in the gym was so loud that Felix couldn’t

hear himself think.

• barrage

• bedlam

Devastating

Wreaking or capable of wreaking complete destruction.

Antonio then beat the air with a barrage of body blows and short devastating lefts with an overhand, jawbreaking right.

Dignitary

an important or influential person.

There were speeches by dignitaries, community leaders, and great boxers of yesteryear.

Multiple Choice

Choose the vocabulary word that is

similar in meaning to the boldfaced word or phrase.

In the ring, both fighters threw blows that were extremely

good at causing pain.

• barrage

• devastating

• bedlam

Dispel

cause to separate and go in different directions.

If Felix had any small doubt about their friendship affecting their fight, it was being neatly dispelled.

Evade

to avoid or avoiding.

Antonio, groggy, bobbed and weaved, evading most of the blows.

Multiple Choice

Choose the vocabulary word that is

similar in meaning to the boldfaced word or phrase.

The trainer sat deep in thought.

• Clarity

• Barrage

• Dignitary

• Dispel

Flail

to wave wildly.

His long legs turned to jelly, and his arms flailed out desperately. Felix, grunting like a bull, threw wild punches from every direction.

Torrent

a violent, rushing stream.

Felix did a last shuffle, bobbing and weaving, while letting loose a torrent of blows that would demolish whatever got in its way.

Multiple Select

A winner of the Golden Gloves competition a dignitary for the sport of boxing.

• True

• False

Perpetual

continual; unending.

The night air was blurred with perpetual motions of left hooks and right crosses.

Unbridled

lacking restraint or control.

Antonio’s fans bet with unbridled faith in his boxing skills.

Improvise

composed or performed at the spur of the moment.

Some were well prepared, some improvised on the spot.

Multiple Choice

Choose the vocabulary word that is

similar in meaning to the boldfaced word or phrase.

Felix was in continual motion on his feet.

• Clarity

• Bedlam

• Perpetual

• Flail

Pensively

musingly or dreamily thoughtful, suggestive of sad thoughtfulness.

Tony scratched his nose pensively.

Multiple Choice

Which is one way that Felix and Antonio contrast with each other?

• Felix always trains harder than Antonio.
• Antonio is almost two years older than Felix.
• Felix has won more fights than Antonio. 
• Antonio has a different style of fighting than Felix. 

Multiple Choice

The boys agree not to see each other before the fight because they 

• are too busy with their training to socialize 
• want to protect their relationship as best friends
• do not want to copy each other's boxing style
• are angry with each other over the championship fight

Multiple Choice

Which detail helps you figure out the theme of the story?

• The boys train hard for the boxing match.
• Both boys dream of winning the championship. 
• The crowd gets very excited when the boys box. 
• The boys leave the ring before the winner is announced. 

Multiple Choice

The message of the story that the writer wants readers to understand is that

• training is essential to winning
• boxing is a fiercely competitive sport.
• friendship matters more than winning.
• everyone can achieve their goals

Multiple Choice

What is a barrage?

• a boxing match
• a heavy attach
• a loud argument
• an insulting remark

Multiple Choice

Bedlam means

• noisy confusion
• serious training
• extensive praise
• quick elimination 

Multiple Choice

Perpetual motions are 

• slow
• continual
• painful
• graceful

Multiple Choice

What does pensively mean?

• deliberately
• completely
• immediately
• thoughtfully

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best explains the relationship between Antonio and Felix?

• Even though there’s a lot of friction between them, they tolerate each other.

• They were jealous of each other from the time they were children.

• They are like brothers and share the same dream.

• They both hate where they live on the lower east side of Manhattan.

Multiple Choice

What does the following paragraph mainly reveal about the character of Antonio?

The evening before the big fight, Tony made his way to the roof of his tenement. In the quiet early dark, he peered over the ledge. Six stories below the lights of the city blinked and the sounds of cars mingled with the curses and the laughter of children in the street. He tried not to think of Felix, feeling he had succeeded in psyching his mind. But only in the ring would he really know. To spare Felix hurt, he would have to knock him out, early and quick.

• Antonio is frustrated by the noise of the city.

• Antonio does not want to hurt Felix in the ring.

• Antonio deep down is bored by the whole thing.

• Antonio is arrogant in assuming that he will beat Felix.

Multiple Choice

Which of these inferences about the importance of this fight to the community is best supported by the story?

• The community hopes to increase its property values.

• The community takes great pride in the boxers as reflections of themselves.

• The community is fairly dull, so they welcome any public event.

• The community is uncivilized.

Multiple Choice

What is a central theme of this story?

• The goal of every friendship is to become as close as a family member.

• Friends come and go, but winning a competition stays with you the rest of your life.

• The most important championship in life is sustaining the bond of friendship.

• Competing against a friend is the best way to test a friendship.

Multiple Choice

Which is something both boxers have in common?

• They are both lanky.

• They are both stout.

• They are both from the lower east side.

• They both have dark complexions.

Multiple Choice

Why did Antonio and Felix stop talking to each other before the fight?

• They didn’t want to hold the other down or stop them from doing his best.

• They had a real-life fight with each other.

• Antonio thought Felix would hate him for winning.

• Felix asked Antonio's sister out on a date.

Multiple Choice

PART A: How do Antonio and Felix act around each other after they find out they will be fighting?

• They grow suspicious of each other, afraid that one will cheat the other out of a win.

• They decide to treat each other as purely competitors for the time being.

• They are excited for each other, as they know they are both deserving of the win.

• They show off their skills, hoping to scare the other one and keep them from competing.

Multiple Choice

PART B: Which quote from the text best supports the answer to Part A?

• "They fooled around with a few jabs at the air, slapped skin, and then took off, running lightly along the dirty East River's edge." ( Paragraph 8)

• "Antonio then beat the air with a barrage of body blows and short devastating lefts with an overhead jaw-breaking right." ( Paragraph 9)

• "'In fact, since we found out it was going to be me and you, I've been awake at night, pulling punches on you, trying not to hurt you.'" ( Paragraph 16)

• "'When we get into the ring, it's gotta be like we never met. We gotta be like two heavy strangers that want the same thing and only one can have it.'" ( Paragraph 22)

Multiple Choice

Which of these is an important idea expressed in the selection? 

• A strong friendship cannot be broken by fair competition

• lose friendships cause people to leave their family

• Friends become like brothers when they compete fairly

• Friends who grow up together automatically become family

Multiple Choice

The description of Felix’s walk from the theatre to his aunt’s home was most likely included to —

• A make the reader think that Felix was about to get into a fight

• help the reader understand the environment in which Felix lived

• frighten the reader with the possibility that Felix would not get home

• impress the reader with how Felix handled a dangerous situation

Multiple Choice

The author includes some Spanish words throughout the selection most likely to — 

• educate readers on specific terms

• accommodate bilingual readers

• use words that can’t be translated

• add authenticity to the boys’ dialogue

Multiple Choice

The organizational pattern of the selection allows the author to — 

• explain what happens in a boxing fight

• break the bond of two characters who are alike

• build suspense about the fight between amigos

• describe what it is like to live in the city

Multiple Choice

The internal conflict that both Felix and Antonio face is

• how to end their friendship so they can fight each other
• how to pursue their own goals without hurting their friend
• how to avoid shame if they lose the fight
• how to explain the fight to their friends

Multiple Choice

The external conflict is resolved when Antonio and Felix ---

• leave the ring together
• decide not to fight each other
• begin the fight
• watch The Champion together

Multiple Choice

Antonio wants to win the fight but doesn't want to hurt Felix. What kind of conflict is this?

• Individual vs. Society
• Individual vs. Individual
• Individual vs. Nature
• Individual vs. Self

Multiple Choice

What is NOT theme found in the story?

• Sometimes you have to put friendship aside to accomplish your goals.

• Always put yourself first, no matter what the cost.

• You must protect your friendships when trying to overcome obstacles.

• Treat your friends as you would treat your family.

Multiple Choice

"He received a barrage of punches in the boxing ring." In this sentence, barrage most likely means...

• a rapid, heavy attack

• a continuous stream

• quick movement

• punches

Multiple Choice

Which detail helps you figure out the theme of the story?

• The boys train hard for the boxing match.
• Both boys dream of winning the championship. 
• The crowd gets very excited when the boys box. 
• The boys leave the ring before the winner is announced. 

Multiple Choice

The message of the story that the writer wants readers to understand is that

• training is essential to winning
• boxing is a fiercely competitive sport.
• friendship matters more than winning.
• everyone can achieve their goals

Multiple Choice

A conflict begins to form between the two friends because

• they are about to fight each other in the division finals
• Felix wants to date Antonio's sister
• Antonio has been asked to represent the Boys Club
• Felix says something cruel to Antonio

Multiple Choice

Antonio's and Felix's goal in boxing is to

• stay in shape
• look tough and impress people
• work out their anger
• become professional fighters

Multiple Choice

When Felix and Antonio think about the match ahead, they want it to end quickly because

• each is afraid he will hurt be hurt
• they don't like fighting
• neither wants to hurt his friend
• the prize will be bigger if it does

Multiple Choice

Antonio and Felix have of collection of Fight magazines and scrapbooks filled with newspaper clippings and tickets from boxing matches. What do these details show about the boys?

• They spend too much money on magazines.
• They should invest in new scrapbooks.
• They are extremely interested in boxing.
• They are the very best of friends.

Multiple Choice

7. Which boy wins the championship fight?

• Antonio wins.
• Felix wins.
• Steven wins.
• The reader never knows.

Multiple Choice

Which of the inferences is best supported by the following text of this excerpt?

After a mile or so, Felix puffed and said, “Let’s stop a while, bro. I think we both got something to say to each other.”

Antonio nodded. It was not natural to be acting as though nothing unusual was happening when two aceboon buddies were going to be blasting each other within a few short days.

• Felix and Antonio cannot deny that competitiveness is intruding on their friendship.

• Felix and Antonio have been harboring ill feelings for each other.

• Felix and Antonio can’t wait to beat each other to a pulp.

• Felix and Antonio would both like to pull out of the fight.

Multiple Choice

Where did Antonio and Felix live ?

• New york

• Florida

• france

Multiple Choice

9. How old are Antonio Cruz and Felix Vargas?

• 17 years old
• 14 years old
• 27 years old
• 7 years old

Multiple Choice

Antonio and Felix have of collection of Fight magazines and scrapbooks filled with newspaper clippings and tickets from boxing matches. What do these details show about the boys?

• They spend too much money on magazines.
• They should invest in new scrapbooks.
• They are extremely interested in boxing.
• They are the very best of friends.

Multiple Choice

What is the dream that Antonio and Felix share?

• To win lots of money
• To become famous boxers
• To become the lightweight champion of the world
• They do not have the same dream

Multiple Choice

7. Which boy wins the championship fight?

• Antonio wins.
• Felix wins.
• Steven wins.
• The reader never knows.

Multiple Choice

8. What do Antonio and Felix discover they value as much as winning?

• They value health.
• They value friendship.
• They value a good night sleep
• They value wealth.