Airball Quiz

1. What is the best summary of the story?

• Even though Kirby doubts his ability to play basketball, his cousin Bragger wants him to try

  out for the team. Kirby says he will not try out for the team, even though he loves

  basketball. As Coach Armstrong hands out permission slips, Kirby tries to convince himself

  that he will not try out for the team.

• While Kirby shoots baskets in the gym, he thinks about what it would be like to be a star

  basketball player. When some other boys ask him to stop standing around, he attempts a

  shot. Even though the ball misses the basket, Kirby’s cousin Bragger tells Kirby he is not

  as bad as he thinks.

• After Kirby misses a basketball shot, his cousin Bragger offers him some advice about

  technique. Kirby does not want to take Bragger seriously and insists that he will not try

  out for the team, despite his love of the game. Bragger decides that he will have to make

  sure the team wins and attempts a shot at the basket.

• Kirby is shooting baskets in the gym before basketball tryouts. His cousin Bragger wants

  him to try out for the team because Kirby loves basketball, but Kirby insists he is not good

  enough as a player. As Coach Armstrong hands out permission slips, Kirby considers

  contributing to the team in a way that does not include playing.

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CCSS.RL.6.2

Which sentence best states the main message of this story?

• “Guess it’s up to me to lead the team to victory.”

• “Can’t be a hero if you’re afraid of looking stupid.”

• “To be a starter, you actually have to be on the team.”

• “You want to play basketball, get both pages signed.”

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Which event from the story shows that Bragger’s attitude about playing basketball is different from Kirby’s?

• Bragger picking up the ball after Kirby misses a basket

• Bragger claiming not to know several basic basketball facts

• Bragger acting as if he doesn’t care that he misses a basket

• Bragger passing the basketball to Kirby after taking a shot

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CCSS.W.6.9A

Read these sentences from the story.

For somebody like me, growing up in a basketball-loving family in a basketball-crazed town, you’d think I’d be screeching around the gym, too. (paragraph 3)

Being a basketball fan and a citizen of the Basketball Capital of Kansas, I

owed it to my fellow seventh graders to support the team. (paragraph 39)

Based on these sentences, the reader can infer that Kirby thinks he —

• has natural talent that he has been unable to demonstrate

• is obligated to participate in activities related to basketball

• should make a strong effort to improve his shooting technique

•   is a disappointment to his family because of his lack of athletic skill

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How does the setting contribute to Kirby’s conflict in the story?

Select TWO correct answers. 

• It makes him feel insecure about his basketball skills.

• It allows him to share information about his favorite basketball players.

• It forces him to have an uncomfortable conversation with the coach.

• It gives him an opportunity to learn from skilled basketball players.

• It emphasizes the differences between him and others in his family and town. 

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