Reading - For fame and fortune

1. According to paragraph 1, which is true about many young people?

• 1. They believe that popularity is more important than wealth.

• They are influenced by the portrayal of sports stars in the media.

• They understand how difficult it is to become a professional athlete.

• They are pressured to take part in sports by their parents.

1. According to paragraph 2, which of the following is NOT true?

• 1. Twenty percent of US families spend $20,000 a year on sports-related expenses.

• Sports scholarships help many young athletes pay for college tuition.

• Many young athletes give up opportunities to socialize in order to train.

• 1. Top athletes are offered professional contracts when they reach eighteen.

1. According to paragraph 3, what problem do NCAA athletes face?

• Even those that get drafted as professionals are paid very poorly.

• 1. They have to pay for their own college tuition and living expenses.

• Less than one percent will get the chance to play for top US teams.

• They are required to gain additional work skills while training.

According to paragraph 4, which of the following is NOT true?

• Swimmers and gymnasts face more financial risk than footballers.

• Some athletes are in a position similar to gig workers.

• Athletes usually receive government support between competitions.

• Taking part in athletic competitions can be profitable for the winners.

According to paragraph 5, which is true about young athletes who fail to go pro?

• 1. They risk earning less later in life.

• They earn more in the long run.

• They are likely to return to college.

• 1. They often find non-player roles with big sports teams.

Which statement best restates the highlighted sentence in the passage?

• 1. US sports leagues force young athletes to complete college in order to go pro.

• Pro US sports leagues often use college facilities to practice before games.

• Pro sports teams often pay young athletes a salary while they attend college.

• Amateur athletes in the US push sports teams to hire them at a younger age.

1. In line 30, the word compounded is closest in meaning to ______.

• caused

• 1. combined

• 1. worsened

• fixed

1. In paragraph 2, why does the author mention the USA Today report?

• 1. To explain why there are fewer aspiring athletes

• To encourage parents to invest more in youth athletics

• To compare the experiences between high- and low-income families

• To inform readers about the financial difficulties that athletics can cause

1. In line 2, the word they refers to _______.

• 1. sports stars

• 1. young people

• 1. grown-ups

• 1. parents

What can be inferred from paragraphs 5 and 6?

• Young people looking for financial security should not aim to become sports stars.

• 1. For many people, a career in sports is the quickest and easiest way to achieve success.

• A passion for sports is not a good enough reason to pursue an athletic career.

• Many people pursue a sports career because they are not academically inclined.