Obama Speech Analysis MC Questions

What is the primary purpose of this speech?

• To entertain students with anecdotes from the speaker’s life.

• To inform students about changes in the education system.

• To motivate students to take responsibility for their education.

• To outline the history of education in America.

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Why does the speaker mention waking up at 4:30 a.m. for lessons with his mother?

• To show that he, too, went through difficulties in schooling.

• To criticize early school start times.

• To compare American education with Indonesian education.

• To explain why he disliked school as a child.

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What message does the speaker convey by sharing stories of Jazmin Perez, Andoni Schultz, and Shantell Steve?

• Success is only for those with financial advantages.

• Challenges can be overcome with determination and hard work.

• Education is less important than personal connections.

• Every student faces the same challenges in life.

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According to the speaker, what is the consequence of quitting school?

• You’ll disappoint your family.

• You’ll miss the opportunity to contribute to your country.

• You’ll be unable to pursue any career.

• You’ll fail to live a fulfilling life.

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What rhetorical device does the speaker use by listing examples of past students' accomplishments (e.g., founding Google and Twitter)?

• Hyperbole

• Anecdote

• Appeal to authority

• Appeal to ethos and pathos

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What evidence does the speaker use to illustrate the idea that failures can lead to success?

• Personal anecdotes about his struggles in school.

• Examples of historical figures who succeeded after setbacks, such as J.K. Rowling and Michael Jordan.

• Stories of students overcoming challenges, like Jazmin Perez and Shantell Steve.

• A comparison of students in America and Indonesia.

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Which line from the speech emphasizes that success depends on individual responsibility?

• “We need every single one of you to develop your talents and your skills.”

• “At the end of the day, we can have the most dedicated teachers...and none of it will matter unless all of you fulfill your responsibilities.”

• “We’re working hard to fix up your classrooms and get you the books and equipment you need.”

• “Some of the most successful people in the world are the ones who’ve had the most failures.”

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What textual evidence does the speaker provide to support the idea that education can change a person’s future?

• My mother would just give me one of those looks and she’d say, ‘This is no picnic for me either, buster.’

• Where you are right now doesn’t have to determine where you’ll end up.

• Jazmin Perez didn’t speak English when she first started school.

• You cannot drop out of school and just drop into a good job.

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How does the speaker use the accomplishments of past students to inspire the audience?

• By describing famous figures like J.K. Rowling and Michael Jordan.

• By mentioning past students who created platforms like Google and Twitter.

• By highlighting the struggles of students in other countries.

• By sharing personal stories of his own challenges in school.

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Why does the speaker include the anecdote about his own struggles with school?

• To explain why he found education unimportant.

• To show that success is possible regardless of challenges.

• To highlight the differences between his experience and the audience’s.

• To argue that external circumstances always dictate success.

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