Cool Jobs Sports Science and Adventure in the City

What is the most likely reason the author includes the details in

paragraph 1 of the excerpt from “Cool Jobs: Sports Science”?

• To convey to the reader the pressure of Olympic gymnastic

  performances

• To draw the reader into the topic of sports science using a

  true story

• To highlight the way an error can keep a gymnast from victory

• To show how well world-class athletes must be able to perform

Answer explanation

The first paragraph hooks the reader with a first-person point of view from a gymnast performing in a stadium.

The problem-and-solution organizational pattern in paragraphs 7

through 11 of the excerpt from “Cool Jobs: Sports Science” supports

the topic by —

• highlighting the way gymnasts cannot rely on their coaches

  for feedback

• suggesting that no gymnast can land perfectly every time, even with practice

• revealing how hard gymnasts must work to understand the

  mechanics of their sport

• illustrating how science helps gymnasts make adjustments to

  land successfully

Answer explanation

The problem is that judges have strict standards for gymnasts when they land.

The Solution that that gymnasts can use science to land perfectly.

What is the controlling idea of the excerpt from “Cool Jobs:

Sports Science”?

• Gymnasts must change their body position in order to stick landings.

• Science helps gymnasts and other athletes improve performance.

• Shannon Miller is an American gymnast who won the Olympic

  gold medal.

• Olympic gymnastics requires effort on the part of both athletes

  and coaches.

Answer explanation

The controlling idea is the main message.

The controlling idea of the passage is that science helps gymnasts perform well.

The poet most likely uses a repetitive structure in the poem in order to —

• show the height of the jumps

• stress a pattern of actions

• present the athlete as childlike

• reveal a contrast between ideas

Answer explanation

The rhyming patterns stress what the speaker is doing.

What does the meter of the poem “Adventure in the City” convey to

the reader?

• The brief nature of the performance

• The many risks that the athlete is taking

• The quick, seamless movements of the athlete

• The loud, excited cries of the spectators

Answer explanation

Meter is rhythm.

The rhythm of the poem is quick just like the movements of the speaker.

What is the most likely reason the poet includes a photograph with the

poem “Adventure in the City”?

• To show what type of movements are used for parkour

• To emphasize the importance of the setting for parkour

• To indicate how popular parkour is

• To stress the need for a proper landing in the sport of parkour

• To suggest the athlete’s strength as he moves

• To suggest the onlookers’ excitement

• To evoke sudden, choppy movement

• To evoke rapid, smooth movement

Answer explanation

A simile is a comparison using like or as.

A river is smooth and flows quickly; the author is comparing the athlete to a smooth and quick river.

Which theme about sports is found in BOTH the excerpt from “Cool

Jobs: Sports Science” and the poem “Adventure in the City”?

• Great skill is required for superb results.

• Acquired knowledge can improve performance.

• Winning requires determination.

• Recognition is the best reward.

Answer explanation

Theme is the lesson of a story.

The lesson of both sections is that skill is needed to perfrom well.

• They imply that parkour requires a greater amount of natural

  talent than gymnastics does.

• They show that unlike gymnasts, parkour athletes have regular

  routines for practicing.

• They communicate that unlike gymnastics, parkour requires a

  dedicated space to train.

• They suggest that parkour athletes do not rely on science the way

  gymnasts do.

Answer explanation

The two lines show that, unlike gymnasts, parkour athletes don't rely on routines only. They also make things up as they perform.

The author of the article “Cool Jobs: Sports Science” and the poet of

“Adventure in the City” BOTH suggest that sports —

• require experts behind them

• require planning for safety

• can be done almost anywhere

• can be thrilling to everyone involved

Answer explanation

Both sports are very exciting to watch and perform.