Defying Gravity

What is this Article mainly about?

• Gymnast Simone Biles said in her autobiography that failing to achieve a spot on the 2011 U.S. women's junior national team was a devastating, heartbreaking failure on her part.

• At a recent world championship, Simone Biles performed her trademark move the "Biles," which is a double-double balance beam dismount with a double-twisting double backflip.

• With an abundance of physical strength, talent, and persistence, Simone Biles overcame obstacles and difficulties to become what many consider to be the gretaest gymnast in the world.

• Simone Biles' childhood was far from perfect, and, in fact, she spent her early years in foster care until her grandparents, Ron and Nellie Biles, adopted her in 2003.

Which of these is a statement of opinion?

• Simone Biles was born in 1997 and didn't have an easy childhood, spending her early years in foster care until she was adopted by her grandparents, Ron and Nellie Biles, in 2003.

• Although her hard work and persistence have no doubt contributed to her remarkable performances, Simone Biles' natural physical ability has been the true key to her success.

• After years of hard work, Simone Biles was named as a replacement for Olympic gold medalist Kyla Ross as a member of the U.S. Women's Gymnastics Team in 2013.

• In October 2019, Simone Biles made U.S. gymnastics history when she won her 25th world championship medal, more than any other gymnast in the world.

The Article states:

But Biles' disappointment pushed her to work that much harder, and soon enough her dedication began to pay off. In 2013, she was named as a replacement gymnast when two members of the U.S. Women's Gymnastics Team withdrew due to injuries. Biles replaced none other than Olympic gold medalist Kyla Ross. You could say she had big shoes to fill, but then again, gymnasts usually perform barefoot!

• To suggest that Simone Biles worked just as hard as Olympic gold medalist Kyla Ross to achieve success in gymnastics

• To show how Simone Biles was able to overcome a devastating, heartbreaking failure and achieve a sought-after spot on the U.S. Women's Gymnastics Team

• To draw emphasis to the fact that gymnast Simone Biles wouldn't have been able to join the U.S. Women's Gymnastics Team without a great deal of natural athletic ability

• To point out that a rivalry between gymnasts Simone Biles and Kyla Ross gave Biles the motivation needed to replace Ross on the United States' national gymnastics team

Which is the closest antonym for the word perseverance?

• reluctance

• aggravation

• vengeance

• consolation

Look at this passage from the Article:

One [signature move], now officially named the "Biles," is a mind-boggling double-double dismount from the balance beam involving a double-twisting double backflip. Whew—that's even hard to say!

Biles' performances are so death-defying, you might find yourself thinking gravity's merely a suggestion rather than a natural law; she flawlessly twists and turns in the air like a leaf in the wind. And yet, her techniques demand stupendous physical strength to pull off.

In this passage techniques mean___________.

• success in defeating an opponent or competitor

• the method of doing something using a special skill

• something that happens as the result of a particular action

• the ability to understand something difficult or confusing

Which passage from the Article best supports the idea that Simone Biles faced difficulties on her road to gymnastic success?

• Biles' performances are so death-defying, you might find yourself thinking gravity's merely a suggestion rather than a natural law; she flawlessly twists and turns in the air like a leaf in the wind. And yet, her techniques demand stupendous physical strength to pull off. If you've seen her perform, you likely don't need much convincing that she's the greatest gymnast in the world.

• In 2011, she finished 14th at the U.S. Junior Championships, after which the U.S. women's junior national team was named. Thirteen gymnasts made the team, meaning Biles missed by one spot. In her autobiography, Courage to Soar: A Body in Motion, A Life in Balance, Biles describes the defeat as a devastating, heartbreaking failure.

• In October 2019, the 22-year-old gymnast not only expertly nailed her landings at the gymnastics world championships, she vaulted her way into the history books, winning her 25th world championship medal, more than any other gymnast in the world. And as if that wasn't enough, two of her moves during the competition were added to the list of signature moves bearing her name. One, now officially named the "Biles," is a mind-boggling double-double dismount from the balance beam involving a double-twisting double backflip.

• By then, many already recognized Biles as the greatest of all time, or GOAT, but it was during her Olympic debut that she became a household name. Along with fellow American, swimmer Katie Ledecky, Biles was the most decorated female athlete at Rio, winning five medals in total and four of them gold!