When Winning Took a Backseat

Which sentences from the text best support the conclusion that, despite their sportsmanship, the boys were highly competitive? Select all that apply.

• "The two didn’t become close friends because they were always on opposite sides."F"With Brad limping the final 50 yards, and Scott helping him every step of the way, the two competitors crossed the finish line arm in arm."

• "During meets, as they pounded out mile after mile across the empty fields, Scott and Brad formed an unspoken bond."

• "In past races, Brad usually grabbed the lead, but Scott, with his strong finish, often caught Brad on the final stretch."

• "But coming around the final turn, Scott cut to the inside to pass Brad and get in position for a sprint down the stretch."

• "Brad, whose knees and hands were scraped and bleeding from falling on the cinders, was struggling to regain his feet."

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.1

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

Moore’s suggestion won unanimous approval from Brad’s coach and the judges. The race was declared a dead heat.

Which word means the opposite of unanimous?

• accepted

• cheerful

• divided

• expected

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

What is most likely the authors’ intent by recounting the techniques Scott and Brad use to run the race?

• to show that the boys are good athletes

• to build suspense about who will win the race

• to create doubt that the boys are following the rules of racing

• to show that the race is the most important element in the story

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.6

CCSS.RI.7.9

CCSS.RI.8.6

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

Which sentence from the text best supports your answer in the previous question?

• “Their most memorable race—the one track and field coaches still talk about—occurred during the 1970 cross-country regional meet, with the winner going to the state finals.”

• “In past races, Brad usually grabbed the lead, but Scott, with his strong finish, often caught Brad on the final stretch.”

• “When the pair dashed through the stadium tunnel and onto the track for the final lap, the capacity crowd rose to its feet to cheer the runners who were now racing stride for stride.”

• “But coming around the final turn, Scott cut to the inside to pass Brad and get in position for a sprint down the stretch.”

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.1

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

Click on the statement that best provides an inference about Brad that is supported by the text.

• Brad is angry at his bad luck.

• Brad is grateful for Scott's help.

• Brad is upset that he injured himself.

• Brad is embarrassed by Scott's gesture.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RL.6.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

Click on the sentence from the text that best supports your answer to the previous question. Choose one option.

• Brad looked up at Scott, smiled, and said, “Man, you’re something else.”

• Scott pulled his injured rival to his feet but Brad was hurting so badly that he couldn’t run very well.

• So Scott put his arm around Brad and the two began trotting down the final stretch.

• The thousands of fans in the stands gasped when they saw Scott’s gallant gesture and then erupted into thunderous applause.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

Click on the statement that best explains how the characters’ interactions develop over the course of the text.

• The boys begin as athletic rivals and become friends.

• The boys are not friendly, but they respect each other.

• The boys never become friends since they are from different areas.

• The boys grow to dislike each other as the competitions between them grow more intense.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Click on all of the sentences from the text that best support your answer from the previous question.

• The boys lived just far enough apart not to attend the same schools, but close enough to compete in the same leagues in baseball, football, and basketball.

• No matter whose team won, Scott and Brad always shook hands and complimented each other on the way they played.

• The two didn’t become close friends because they were always on opposite sides.

• But the boys grew up admiring each other’s athletic skills.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

How do the first two paragraphs add to the development of the characters in the text?

• The paragraphs indicate that the boys are from two very different environments.

• The paragraphs help the reader to understand how athletic both of the boys are.

• The paragraphs help set the story among mountains and rivers which shape how the boys grow.

• The paragraphs help the reader to understand how unlikely it is that a friendship would develop between the boys.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Brad liked to set a blistering pace early in the race, which wore down most other runners who tried to keep up with him. Scott, meanwhile, had a strong finishing kick, which had him breathing down the leader’s neck on the final stretch.

Select the statement that best describes what the use of the underlined phrases “blistering pace” and “breathing down the leader’s neck” adds to the reader’s understanding of the text.

• The phrases show the competitive nature of both runners.

• The phrases share the character’s experience with the reader.

• The phrases establish a serious tone to use throughout the story.

• The phrases create a picture of the heat experienced by the runners.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3