Hot Shots

Why is Julian feeling upset at the beginning of the story?

• He missed the last basketball game

• He failed a test at school

• He knows he's moving and hasn’t told his friends

• He had a fight with a teammate

Why didn’t Julian tell his teammates he was moving?

• He forgot

• He wanted to surprise them

• He was afraid they’d treat him differently

• He didn’t think they’d care

How does Grady initially react when Julian says he didn’t want to be treated differently?

• He gets angry and walks away

• He says Julian was being selfish

• He jokes that he would have ignored him

• He says he already knew Julian was moving

How does Julian feel after his teammates show support?

• Embarrassed

• Relieved

• Angry

What does Mick Reiss say to encourage the team?

• Let’s win this one for Julian!

• We’re going to be red hot!

• Don’t be sad, just play hard!

• No one can beat us today!

Why didn’t Julian tell his teammates earlier that he was moving?

• He forgot to tell them.

• He wanted to surprise them.

• He didn’t want them to treat him differently.

• His parents told him to keep it a secret.

What does Julian’s fear of being treated differently reveal about his character?

• He doesn't care about his teammates.

• He is selfish and only thinks of himself.

• He values his friendships and is afraid of being left out.

• He plans to quit the team before the move.

If Julian had told the team earlier about his move, what is the most likely change in how the story would unfold?

• The team would have ignored him during practice.

• Julian would have gotten kicked off the team early.

• The team might have supported him sooner, making his final game more meaningful.

• Julian would have decided not to move.

How does the setting of the gym affect Julian’s emotions?

• He is afraid that the coach will reveal his secret.

• He is overwhelmed with the memories of playing there.

• He is uneasy about telling his teammates he is leaving.

• He is sad that this is the last time he will play basketball.

How does the dialogue in paragraphs 5–7 develop Julian’s point of view?

• It reveals the real reason Julian is mad about leaving.

• It shows that Julian is proud to uphold his commitments

• It illustrates that Julian is embarrassed for keeping it a secret

• It suggests that Julian thinks he is an excellent basketball player