Connecting the dots

To whom was this speech written?

• the graduating class of Stanford University

• the graduating class of Reed College

• the 6th graders of Bossier Parish

• everyone who has dropped out of school

Which of the following best explains the meaning of the following quotation from paragraph 8?

"You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards.

• Don't concern yourself by looking back on the past; focus on your drive for the future.

• While you cannot predict the future, looking back you can often see how you got to where you are.

• It's impossible to know how to get where you want to go, but as long as you're working hard, you'll get there.

• It is okay to not have an expressed purpose in life; you'll find success once you find what you love.

Which sentence describes how Jobs' message is introduced in the text?

• The speech is presented as cause and effect.

• The speech is a series of problems with possible solutions.

• The speech is a series of three stories (anecdotes) about his life.

• The speech is an autobiography

Where was Apple first started?

• in Steve's parents' basement

• in the Hare Krishna temple

• in Steve's friends' dorm rooms

• in Steve's parents' garage

Steve Jobs used the phrase "connecting the dots." Which sentence best expresses the meaning of this phrase?

• Jobs is completing a puzzle.

• Jobs is discussing how life events can lead to one another.

• Jobs is showing that the future is more important than the past.

• Jobs is showing the importance of relationships in life.

Steve Jobs says, "My first story is about connecting the dots." Which of the following is the central idea of the first story?

• Adoption can provide children much more success in life.

• One should only learn things that are interesting.

• Dropping out of college can be beneficial.

• Individual events in your life can be connected when you look back.

Steve Jobs says, "My second story is about love and loss." What is the central idea of this story?

• You should never settle for doing something less than your best.

• Loss is the most unfortunate part of life.

• Sometimes it takes losing something to finally discover what you love to do.

• Starting over made Jobs feel like a beginner again.

In 2004, Steve Jobs was diagnosed with...

• liver disease

• kidney failure

• a brain tumor

• pancreatic cancer

Which of the following sentences best explains the purpose of Jobs' commencement address?

• The purpose of this text is to provide an encouraging message to the graduates.

• The purpose of this text is to tell how Jobs became successful.

• The purpose of this text is to hire good students to work at Apple.

• The purpose of this text is to teach a lesson on success and failure.

Steve Jobs says, "My third story is about death." What is the central idea of that story?

• Everyone dies eventually--don't take yourself too seriously or consider yourself more important than anyone else.

• The loss of a beloved person or position can be a catalyst for the great life changes--embrace them.

• Your time on Earth is limited--do what you love and don't spend it trying to please anyone but yourself.

• Don't wasted your life working; instead, focus only on what is fun and enjoyable.