Success Unit Questions

What does Obama claim is a similarity between the students listening to his speech and his own experience as a student?

• Both have been very upset about being forced to learn at 4:30 am.

• Both have been very enthusiastic about their education.

• Both wish that they could be at home learning at their kitchen table.

• Both have had times when they were not very excited to be learning.

Which of the following does Obama NOT say he has talked about a lot in the past?

• the responsibility of teachers to inspire and push students

• the responsibility of the government to support teachers and principals

• the responsibility of parents to keep their students on track

• the responsibility of students to turn schools around

How does Obama explain that students should hold themselves responsible?

• by using their education to help them be able to do what they are passionate about

• by joining the debate team so that they can become a Supreme Court justice

• by dropping out of school and getting a good job

• by working hard on their English papers in school

Why does Obama think that the education is so important?

• because the world future business leaders who’ll make themselves rich

• because the future of America depends on having people who can solve big problems

• because quitting school is also quitting on your country

• because in the future, we will need to replace all of our current jobs and companies

How does Obama hope that students will respond to difficulty in life?

• by working hard, even when times are tough

• by talking back to teachers and cutting class

• by relying on getting second chances

• by living in safe neighborhoods and making good choices

What do the three students that Obama mentions by name all have in common?

• They had disabilities that made learning much harder for them than the average student.

• They stayed out of gangs and encouraged others not to join gangs.

• They set goals for themselves and overcame hard times.

• They did not have parents or grandparents that went to college.

What advice does Obama give for students to achieve their goals?

• Work as hard as you can so you can be rich and successful.

• Do not be afraid to fail and learn from your failures.

• Do not become a troublemaker or else you will never achieve your goals.

• Work hard only at the things that you care about.

How does Obama end his speech?

• by inspiring students to become president in 50 years

• by encouraging students to study the history of the Great Depression and the Civil Rights Movement

• by asking students to make sure they have all the books they need for school

• by calling for students to put forth their best effort throughout the school year

How does Coates feel about his progress in French?

• He believes he has completely mastered the language.

• He knows he has improved and is continuing to improve.

• He feels like he has improved a lot, but like he won’t improve much more.

• He feels that he has improved as much as he can.

Which of the following statements best describes what Coates believes?

• Feelings of anxiety can act as motivation to improve a new skill.

• Competing against someone else makes a person feel more motivated to learn something quickly.

• Negative feelings can make it difficult to succeed at a new skill.

• It is important to fully understand the research that explains the best ways to learn a new language.