Star on and Off the Ice

Read the following excerpt from the passage. Then click on the ONE sentence that best provides specific evidence to support the idea that Michelle and Karen worked hard to become good skaters.

As a young child, Michelle and her sister often went to their brother's hockey games. There they became interested in skating, and they soon became good skaters. They quickly found themselves working with a coach. They skated both before and after school every day.

• As a young child, Michelle and her sister often went to their brother's hockey games.

• There they became interested in skating, and they soon became good skaters.

• They quickly found themselves working with a coach.

• They skated before and after school every day.

Which choice below is the BEST summary of the passage?

• Although Michelle Kwan's family experienced financial difficulties, Michelle persevered and found ways to continue her training.

• Michelle Kwan was a world-class figure skater, winning many titles and honors; she continues to apply her ethics of commitment and dedication in her career and in her daily life.

• Although she never won a gold medal, Michelle Kwan remains one of the most decorated figure skaters in U.S. history.

• Through dedication and hard work, Michelle Kwan became a lawyer and worldwide representative of the United States.

Imagine you came across Michelle Kwan's autobiography. How would the autobiography compare or contrast to the passage Star on and off the Ice: Michelle Kwan? Select TWO answer choices below

• Just like the passage, the autobiography would be written to persuade readers to become figure skaters.

• Unlike the passage, the autobiography would only include facts about the Olympics.

• Just like the passage, the autobiography would be a good source for a research report about figure skating.

• Unlike the passage, the autobiography would be written from the first-person point of view.

• Just like the passage, the autobiography would contain factual information about Michelle Kwan.

What device (also know as text structure) does the author use in this passage to help present information about Michelle Kwan?

• The author includes dates to let the readers know what events took place in Michelle Kwan's life and in what order.

• The author describes the opinions of coaches and friends who know Michelle Kwan.

• The author discusses the similarities and differences between Michelle Kwan and other figure skaters.

• The author explains problems in Michelle Kwan's life and lets the readers know how they were solved.

Imagine that the author of Star on and off the Ice: Michelle Kwan presented this passage as an oral report to the class.

Which TWO questions should students ask to show that they were listening carefully to the report but would like more information?

• Why did Michelle Kwan withdraw from the 2006 Olympic Games?

• What kind of test did Michelle Kwan have to pass to become a senior-level skater?

• What caused Michelle Kwan to become interested in skating?

• How old was Michelle Kwan when she stopped skating?

Imagine you are writing an essay about the topic of this passage.

Which TWO choices below would make the best concluding sentences for your essay?

• When financial difficulties arose, the Kwan family overcame adversity to provide opportunities for their children.

• Although Michelle Kwan faced many types of adversity, she overcame those obstacles to become one of the most influential women in the history of figure skating.

• As both a skater and a representative of our nation, Michelle Kwan uses her influence to make a difference in the lives of others.

• Both Michelle and Karen Kwan forever changed the way we view women's figure skating in this country.

• Even though the Kwan children had talent on the ice and a strong work ethic, financial difficulties prevented them from ever living up to their full potential.

Imagine you are writing a research report about Michelle Kwan and you want to use this passage as a source. Which would be the BEST way to include information from this passage so you are paraphrasing and not plagiarizing?

• Michelle Kwan was born in Torrance, California, in 1980. She joined her older siblings, Ron and Karen, as the first native-born Americans in their family.

• Michelle competed in the 1998 and 2002 Olympic Games. However, an injury forced her to withdraw from competition at the 2006 Olympic Games.

• Despite having setbacks due to injuries, Michelle became the first female figure skater to earn a perfect score of 6.0 in the short program at the U.S. Nationals. All her technical moves on the ice were flawless.

• Michelle's love of skating began at a young age after watching her brother play hockey. It wasn't long before her skills improved and she started working with a coach.

Imagine you want to write an informational report about figure skating. Which question below would NOT help you plan your first draft?

• When was figure skating invented?

• Is figure skating interesting to watch?

• What do figure skates look like?

• How are figure skating competitions scored?

If you wanted to learn more about other important women in U.S. figure skating, which would be the BEST place to look?

• a website dedicated to the history of figure skating in the United States

• Michelle Kwan's autobiography

• a magazine article reporting Michelle Kwan's success at the U.S. figure skating championships

• a realistic fiction novel about a figure skater

Read the following sentences from the passage.

She joined her older siblings, Ron and Karen, as the first native-born Americans in their family. Their parents had emigrated from Hong Kong many years before.

• to return to one's original home

• to dream about having a better life

• to learn more than one foreign language

• to move from one country and settle in another