A Letter to NFL GM's

The following passage (paragraphs 10–13) adds to the development of the text mainly by fill in the blank____________.

"So my coach took me back over to the guy who weighed me in so we could do it again, and — now, this is a long time ago, so I don’t remember exactly what was said, but basically, the opposing coach said that it wasn’t about my weight.

It was about my hand.

He said I shouldn’t have been allowed to play football at all.

Because football is for two-handed players."

• describing the common culture of bullying and cheating amongst youth football leagues

• showing that the author has experienced discrimination from a young age

• explaining why the author stopped playing football when he was younger

• arguing that there should be stricter rules protecting the interests of players on football teams

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.2

CCSS.RI.9-10.6

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

What information does the following passage mainly convey (paragraphs 18-20)?

I’m not going to get into an explanation of the condition I was born with that prevented the fingers of my left hand from fully developing. Or talk about the time when I was four years old and I tried to cut my own fingers off with a kitchen knife because I was in constant pain. Or about when I got my left hand amputated shortly after. That’s stuff you probably already know about anyway — and if you don’t, you can Google it. The story is out there.

And it’s not some sob story or anything like that. It’s not even a sad story — at least not to me.

It’s just … my story.

• Although the author’s disability is a part of his story, it does not define him as a person.

• The author hates making people uncomfortable or sad by discussing his disability.

• The author thinks that he is very famous and assumes that others already know his story.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.2

CCSS.RI.9-10.6

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Which of the following selections best describes how the author’s father helped him?

• The author’s father taught his son that his disability did not have to hold him back.

• The author’s father found ways to help his son overcome physical obstacles and train hard.

• The author’s father instilled a foundation of hard work, mental toughness, and perseverance.

• All of the above

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

The author’s tone of the following passage (paragraphs 87–89) is best described as fill in the blank_____________.

"If you’re one of those GMs who believes that I can play in the NFL, I just want to say thank you. I appreciate you, and I’m excited for the opportunity to play for you and prove you right.

And if one you’re of those who is doubting me … well, I want to thank you, too. Because you’re what keeps me motivated every day to work hard and play even harder.

Back when I was eight years old, I played because I loved the game. I still do. But now, I also play because I believe it’s my purpose. I know that it won’t come easy. Nothing comes easy. But I will fulfill that purpose. I have no doubt."

• grateful

• confident

• spiteful

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Which of the following options best describes the author’s relationship with his brother, Shaquill?

• The author and his brother struggled with competitiveness as kids and that drive pushed both to pursue different life paths.

• The author and his brother were very close when they were young, but as they got older the author began to resent his brother’s success.

• The author and his brother have always had an unshakeable bond and a promise to support one another even in tough times.

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Which of the following statements best summarizes the author’s attitude about his disability?

• He has never let his disability, or those who judge him for it, stop him from achieving his dreams.

• He felt insecure about his disability, until his coach in high school taught him to view it as a strength.

• He thinks that he should receive special consideration because of his difficult story and his triumph over his disability.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.2

CCSS.RI.9-10.6

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Which of the following synonyms would best replace adversity in the following passage (paragraphs 72-74)?

"I think that what I did on the field, especially this past season, speaks for itself. So I don’t feel like I need to get into all that. I’ll let the tape do the talking.

Besides, I don’t define myself by my successes.

I define myself by adversity, and how I’ve persevered."

• pain

• hardship

• sorrow

• disaster

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.4

CCSS.L.9-10.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.4