Harvard Commencement Speech by Steve Jobs

To whom was this speech written?

• the graduating class of Stanford University

• the graduating class of Reed College

• everyone who has dropped out of school

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Which sentence describes how Jobs' message is introduced in the text?

• The speech is presented as cause and effect.

• The speech is a series of problems with possible solutions.

• The speech is a series of three stories (anecdotes) about his life.

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Steve Jobs used the phrase "connecting the dots." Which sentence best expresses the meaning of this phrase?

• Jobs is completing a puzzle.

• Jobs is discussing how life events can lead to one another.

• Jobs is showing that the future is more important than the past.

• Jobs is showing the importance of relationships in life.

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Steve Jobs says, "My first story is about connecting the dots." Which of the following is the central idea of the first story?

• Adoption can provide children much more success in life.

• One should only learn things that are interesting.

• Dropping out of college can be beneficial.

• Individual events in your life can be connected when you look back.

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Which of the following best summarizes the second story?

• Steve was 20 when he started Apple. It grew quickly because Steve was very creative. He lost his job ten years later, which was unfortunate.

• Steve wanted to run away from the valley. He started NeXT and Pixar and came back to Apple. He also found love.

• Steve loved what he did and married his wife.

• Steve started Apple in his parents' garage, but was fired from the company years later. After he was fired, he realized he still loved what he did. He returned when Apple bought NeXT and Pixar. He met and married his wife.

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Steve Jobs says, "My second story is about love and loss." What is the central idea of this story?

• You should never settle for doing something less than your best.

• Loss is the most unfortunate part of life.

• Sometimes it takes losing something to finally discover what you love to do.

• Starting over made Jobs feel like a beginner again.

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Which of the following best explains the meaning of this quote from paragraph 15?

"It was awful tasting medicine, but I guess the patient needed it."

• Medicine leads to success.

• The experience was extremely difficult, but looking back, it was very valuable.

• Sometimes you need to be able to swallow difficult information or experiences.

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Which statement best reflects Jobs' point of view in the address?

• Steve Jobs tells the graduates that it is more important to love what you do than to do what people expect you to do.

• Steve Jobs tells the graduates that everyone should connect the dots.

• Steve Jobs tell the graduates that taking only the classes that interest you will make you successful in life.

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Steve Jobs says, "My third story is about death." What is the central idea of that story?

• Everyone dies eventually--don't take yourself too seriously or consider yourself more important than anyone else.

• The loss of a beloved person or position can be a catalyst for the great life changes--embrace them.

• Your time on Earth is limited--do what you love and don't spend it trying to please anyone but yourself.

• Don't wasted your life working; instead, focus only on what is fun and enjoyable.

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Which of the following best summarizes the third story in the commencement address?

• Jobs faced death and realized that life is short, so it shouldn't be wasted on things we do not enjoy.

• Jobs had a life-saving surgery to cure him of pancreatic cancer.

• Jobs wants college graduates to be happy with their career choice.

• Jobs faced death and wished that he had spent more time creating.

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