They Failed (And So Can You)

1. Which statement expresses a central idea of the article?

• A Michael Jordan is one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
• B Twitter developed from a failed podcasting company.
• C Learning from failure is an essential part of achieving success.
• D People are obsessed with posting perfect pictures on Instagram.

2. Which line BEST supports the central idea you chose in question 1?

• A “During his NBA career, Jordan missed more than 9,000 shots.” (p. 28)
• B “Back in 2005, Williams co-founded a podcasting company called Odeo.” (p. 29)
• C “The trick is to look at your mistakes as opportunities to learn and grow—and try again.” (p. 29)
• D “Or maybe you will explore another interest instead.” (p. 29)

3. On page 28, Jessica Press writes, “But wait. Isn’t it the people who never fail who rise to the top?” What literary device is she using?

• A simile
• B rhetorical question
• C metaphor
• D symbolism

4. What is the purpose of the literary device you chose as your answer to question 3?

• A to convince readers that failure is unacceptable
• B to support the idea that Michael Jordan was flawless
• C to draw attention to a common misconception about failure
• D to emphasize the importance of success

5. On page 29, Press writes, “And we aspire to look as flawless as the celebrities we see in (heavily retouched) photographs.” The phrase “heavily retouched”

• A emphasizes that celebrities are perfect.
• B suggests that celebrities aren’t as flawless as we think they are.
• C shows that Instagram is a popular app.
• D explains how to achieve perfection.

6. Press likely includes the statement from psychologist Angela Duckworth on page 29 to

• A dispute the argument that students put too much pressure on themselves.
• B show how a fear of failure can lead to achievement.
• C support the idea that talent and intellect are important.
• D emphasize the value of perseverance.

The news story was based on a letter that was a fabrication. Now the reporter who wrote the story is in big trouble.

Will anyone believe him again?

A fabrication is __________.

• made of cloth

• full of long words

• funny

• fake

Synonym: There was pandemonium, or chaos among the fans when their team won the Super Bowl.

What is the best meaning for the word pandemonium?

• chaos

• calm

• shouting

• quiet

Antonym: Some children were willing to play in the snow, but others were reluctant because it was so cold.

What is the best meaning of the word reluctant?

• eager

• unwilling

• fearful

• afraid

When they heard the good news about the court’s decision, the angry crowd cheered and then began to disperse.

“It looks like everyone is going home,” one reporter stated.

Which would be the antonym of “disperse”?

• come together

• smile

• fly like a bird

• sing