Professor Naismith's New Game

How does Jimmie’s experience in the balcony most contribute to the plot in “Professor Naismith’s New Game”?

• Jimmie learns the rules of the game so that he will be ready to play in the future.

• Jimmie is able to think about a name for the game while he is watching it.

• Jimmie helps Professor Naismith decide when it is time to pass the ball.

• Jimmie is able to retrieve the ball so that the game can continue.

What is the main problem at the beginning of “Professor Naismith’s New Game”?

• The students want to be treated as adults.

• The students dislike the rules of the new game.

• The students prefer to play outside in cold weather.

• The students think the physical education class is boring.

Which evidence from the passage best supports the answer in Part One? Choose one answer

• “ ‘Over and over and over again! Wouldn’t it drive you out of your mind?’ ”

• “ ‘But what can you do when the playing fields are frozen and covered with snow?’ ”

• “ ‘We’re grown men in this class, not kids. If something doesn’t change soon, everyone’s going to—’ ”

• “ ‘This will be a game of skill rather than strength! It will be fair to all players!’ ”

Which description is the best summary of “Professor Naismith’s New Game”?

• Ernest complains about his gym class. Jimmie is tired of listening to his brother talk about the class. Jimmie sits in the balcony and watches while the professor talks about a new game. The professor thought of the game in the middle of the night. The game has many rules, and Jimmie thinks about playing the game someday

• Professor Naismith thinks up a new game for gym class. Jimmie goes with his brother Ernest to the class. The game uses baskets nailed to the balcony of the gymnasium. The game has many rules, and Professor Naismith explains them. He did not think about what to do once the ball was in the basket. Jimmie watches how everyone in the game reacts.

• Ernest complains to Jimmie about how boring his gym class is. However, once they get there Professor Naismith explains a new game he has created. Jimmie watches the game from the balcony and retrieves the ball when it gets stuck in the basket. Ernest and Jimmie discuss the game on the way home and Jimmie thinks of a name for it.

• Ernest and Jimmie help Professor Naismith think up a new game. Professor Naismith asks Jimmie to sit in the balcony and get the ball when it goes into the basket. Sometimes the players do not know what they are doing. While he watches the game, Jimmie thinks about ways to improve it. At the end of the passage, Jimmie thinks of a name for the game.

. How does the author develop the point of view in “Professor Naismith’s New Game”?

• The author uses first person to describe the events from Ernest’s perspective.

• The author uses first person to describe the events from Professor Naismith’s perspective.

• The author uses third person to describe the events through the observations of Jimmie.

• The author uses third person to describe the events through an outsider recording the action.

Read the lines from “Inspired Inventions.” “a dragonfly instilled helicopter;” “A shooting star infused a rocket’s flight” How do these lines contribute to the development of a main theme in the poem?

• The lines support the idea that some inventions are quite simple.

• The lines support the idea that some inventions are inspired by nature.

• The lines support the idea that inventors need to explain their inventions.

• The lines support the idea that inventors must overcome many challenges.

Read the line from “Inspired Inventions.” “Great Masterminds with deep inner notions” How does the phrase “Great Masterminds” impact the meaning of the poem?

• The phrase emphasizes the challenges inventors face as they work on inventions.

• The phrase shows that inventors like to have control over their inventions.

• The phrase shows how prideful some inventors must feel.

• The phrase emphasizes a sincere respect for inventors.

Read the line from “Inspired Inventions.” “they fetched modern science a smiling sunrise.” What does the metaphor “smiling sunrise” convey about modern science?

• Modern science continues to have an optimistic future.

• Modern science tries to attract many different inventors.

• Modern science recognizes the sun as a power source.

• Modern science makes inventors happy.

Which theme is shared by the passage and the poem?

• Some inventions lack recognition.

• Some inventions are poorly imagined.

• Some inventions bring great pleasure.

• Some inventions are inspired by the past.

Which evidence from the passage and the poem support the answer in Part One? Choose two answers.

• “ ‘After we score a goal, sir,’ someone ventured, ‘how do we get the ball back?’ ” (“Professor Naismith’s New Game”)

• “ ‘Don’t tell me you actually enjoyed our session today!’ ” (“Professor Naismith’s New Game”)

• “a rainbow aroused a painter’s delight,” (“Inspired Inventions”)

• “Concepts from myths did never get ignored;” (“Inspired Inventions”)