Letters to my Younger Self Think/Writing Questions

What is most likely the author’s reason for using shorter sentences and repetition in the following passage?

"You, David Robinson, have flunked your introductory swim test.

Your swim test. In the Navy."

• To highlight the fact that he was enlisted in the Navy instead of some other military branch

• To emphasize the significance of and weight associated with failing an important military test

• To reflect his speechless anger and self-hatred

• To simply vary the syntax length in order to provide a more engaging reading experience

What does the passage mainly reveal about the author’s state of mind the night after his swim test?

"Tomorrow night, when you lie down in your bedroom after this embarrassment and you stare at the ceiling for hours, you’ll have another thought. This one is very important.

What have I gotten myself into? Why am I doing this?"

• Discouraged by his failure, David questions his commitment to join the Navy.

• David believes he is physically incapable of serving as a sailor in the Navy.

• David is confused as to what his responsibilities will be as a new cadet.

• 1. Angered by his swim test performance, David asks himself whether or not he wishes to follow in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps.

What is most closely the meaning of obvious as it is used in the following passage?

"What have I gotten myself into? Why am I doing this?

I want you to think long and hard about this particular question.

We both know the obvious answer: You chose the Naval Academy because of your father and grandfather, who both served in the military."

• verb | to reveal or uncover (something hidden)

• | adjective | morally right or ethical

• | adjective| easily understood or apparent

• D. | noun | serious thought or meditation

Which of the following inferences is best supported by the passage below (paragraphs 34–35)?

"Your father is very demanding of you (actually, a lot like a coach you’re going to have in the future by the name of Larry Brown, but that’s a story for another time.) But the reason he’s so demanding is because he’s preparing you for the real world. He’s not just giving you the tools to excel in school and eventually choose where you’ll go to college, he’s also showing you how to succeed in your life after basketball.

He’s doing what your grandfather did for him."

• David Robinson doesn’t think playing for Larry Brown was a positive experience.

• Basketball is more important to David than anything else.

• David chose to go straight to the NBA after graduating from high school.

• Teenage David didn’t always appreciate the value of his father’s toughness.

The author of this letter would most likely agree that ______________.

• he has experienced both successes and failures in his life

• his whole life has been one big success after another

• he should never have joined the Navy, because he wasn’t a good enough swimmer

• he didn’t deserve the money he earned at such a young age

Which passage from the text most strongly supports the correct answer to Question 5?

• "When you first get into the pool, you’re going to be feeling good. But after 10 minutes, your arms and legs are going to be burning so bad you’ll want to quit.”

• “In four years, you will be an ensign in the U.S. Navy, and you’ll earn a monthly salary of $1,260.90.”

• "You have experienced so many incredible things, and you have screwed up plenty, too.”

• “Please allow me to give you fair warning about something from the future.

The author’s financial advice to his younger self is mainly to _________________.

• buy a nice car to celebrate his first million-dollar paycheck

• give back to his community

• try not to let money become an issue with his friends from childhood

• All of the above

Which passage from the text best supports the correct answer to Question 7?

• “You will make more money than your grandfather could ever dream of seeing.”

• Use the financial power you’ll be blessed with to create a company that can invest in the community, especially the African-American communit

• “I hate to say it, but in the future, the times will be much more unforgiving.”

• “The world will be very challenging place for young African-American kids like you. Not all of them will have role models like your grandfather.”

Which passage from the text best supports the correct answer to Question 7?

• “You will make more money than your grandfather could ever dream of seeing.”

• “Use the financial power you’ll be blessed with to create a company that can invest in the community, especially the African-American community.”

• “I hate to say it, but in the future, the times will be much more unforgiving.”

• The world will be very challenging place for young African-American kids like you. Not all of them will have role models like your grandfather.”

Reorder the following.

• He studies vocabulary words with his father.

• He fails his introductory swim test in the Navy.

• He receives a check for $1 million after being drafted to play in the NBA.

• He wins two Olympic gold medals.