Nike's big Blowout

The Article talks mainly about __________.

• How Nike was affected when one of its sneakers ripped apart on the foot of a star athlete during a high-profile NCAA game

• How certain serious knee injuries can threaten a college basketball player's professional career in the NBA

• How companies spend tons of money each year on a special form of advertising called product placement

• How the Duke University Blue Devils and the University of North Carolina Tar Heels became one of college basketball's fiercest rivalries

What is a cause and effect relationship that takes place in the Article?

• Because the Duke Blue Devils ended up losing the game against North Carolina, the team plans to file a lawsuit against Nike.

• Because Zion Williamson was seriously injured after the Nike shoe incident, he is sitting out for a few weeks so that he can fully recover in time for the NCAA Tournament.

• Because a Nike product failed during a particularly high-profile event, the company was not only embarrassed, but also lost about $1.12 billon.

• Because companies like Nike spend an enormous amount of money on product placement each year, they are guaranteed to sell a lot of products.

Which of these is a statement of opinion?

• Zion Williamson injured his knee when his Nike sneaker ripped apart from heel to toe during a nationally televised NCAA game.

• It's too risky for Zion Williamson to play in the NCAA Tournament because he could reinjure his knee.

• Product placement is a type of advertising in which manufacturers of consumer goods spend money to feature products in a movie or sports event

• Former President Barack Obama attended a college basketball game between the Duke University Blue Devils and the University of North Carolina Tar Heels.

Which two words are the closest synonyms?

• Approximately and accurately

• Seemingly and suddenly

• Considerable and significant

• Anticipated and uneventful

The reader can infer from the Article that __________.

• Nike officials do not feel that their product, the Nike PG 2.5 shoe, was responsible for Zion Williamson's injury.

• The University of North Carolina Tar Heels probably would have won by more points if the Nike shoe incident had not happened.

• Leaders at Duke University may reconsider using Nike as the provider of the Blue Devils' uniforms and footwear.

• This was the first time the Duke University Blue Devils and the University of North Carolina Tar Heels had played against each other in a basketball game.

The author probably wrote this Article in order to __________.

• Demonstrate that although product placement by well-known companies is meant to produce positive results, it can also backfire

• Persuade readers to only buy products that are used by their favorite celebrities and athletes

• Suggest that Zion Williamson is likely no longer positioned to be the top NBA Draft pick for 2019

• Determine the cause of Zion Williamson's Nike PG 2.5 shoe coming apart during a basketball game

The Article states:

Nike officials, of course, were apologetic. They issued a statement expressing concern over the incident and hope that Williamson was having a speedy recovery. They said they intended to "identify the issue" that caused the sneaker to fall apart. The exact reason is still unknown. Nike officials claim that it was an isolated incident and stand behind their products.

Which would be the closest synonym for the word isolated, as it is used above?

• Solitary

• Customary

• Suitable

• Embarrassing

Which passage from the Article best supports the idea that despite his fall, Zion Williamson can still have a promising basketball career?

• And this wasn't just any old basketball game, either. It was a highly anticipated showdown between college basketball's fiercest rivals: Williamson's team, the Duke University Blue Devils, and the University of North Carolina Tar Heels.

• That's what happened to Nike in February 2019, less than a minute into a high-profile, sold-out, nationally televised NCAA game.

• Luckily, Williamson's knee injury was minor; it was a Grade 1 sprain, meaning the ligament was slightly stretched but still able to keep the knee joint stable. To play it safe, Williamson planned to stay out for a few weeks so that he would fully mend in time for the NCAA Tournament.

• But suddenly, the man who's been called "the next LeBron James" was a fallen star, wincing in pain on the floor. He had a sprained right knee and a bum sneaker. A Nike sneaker.