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Reading Comprehension Quiz (Grantland Rice, “The Four Horsemen”)

Reading Comprehension Quiz

Grantland Rice, “The Four Horsemen”

Read “The Four Horsemen” and check your comprehension by answering the following questions. Click the submit button when finished.

Question The title of this article is “The Four Horsemen,” a direct reference to the Bible. In choosing this as the title, what can we as modern readers assume about Rice’s readers?

1. The title of this article is “The Four Horsemen,” a direct reference to the Bible. In choosing this as the title, what can we as modern readers assume about Rice’s readers?

They were all Christians.

They would likely recognize Biblical allusions.

They were religiously devoted to the sport of football.

All of the above.

Question After reading this article, how important was this football game?

2. According to Rice, how important was this football game?

It was the most important football game that had ever been played.

It was a regular season game and not important for a post season spot.

This was a sporting event, so it wasn’t important at all.

None of the above.

Question Rice says that the Army was “swept over the precipice.” What does this mean?

3. Rice says that the Army was “swept over the precipice.” What does this mean?

Notre Dame killed all of the players.

A tidal wave swept in and swamped the Polo grounds.

The Army football team beat the Notre Dame football team.

None of the above.

Question How does Rice characterize the Army?

4. How does Rice characterize the Army?

He writes glowingly of them, never criticizing them in their play or in their loss.

He often points out the weaknesses of their defense and why they lost.

He never writes about the Army because his sole focus is the Notre Dame team.

He writes about them in such a way that the reader forgets about the Notre Dame team.

Question Why does Rice describe the game with such precise detail?

5. Why does Rice describe the game with such precise detail?

He was writing a book and needed to give the reader exact details.

He was writing for a magazine and wished to convey the magnificence of the Notre Dame backfield for the audience.

Many of his readers would not have seen the game; therefore, his article would be their only source for information on specific plays.

This was the style of writing for newspapers of the day, and it was not unique.

Question Rice never mentions the names of any players except those who were directly connected to carrying the ball. Why might he have done this?

6. Rice never mentions the names of any players except those who were directly connected to carrying the ball. Why might he have done this?

For the audience, the linemen and other players were not as exciting to know about.

The article was only about the four players from Notre Dame.

The audience already knew the other players.

People were not interested in football like they are now.

Question The score of this football game is only mentioned once in the article (13-7). Why might this be?

7. The score of this football game is only mentioned once in the article (13-7). Why might this be?

The score, while important, was secondary to the action described.

The game was a low scoring one, but Rice wanted to impart thrills to his readers, so he doesn’t focus on it.

Rice wanted to show how good the Notre Dame team players were and not focus on points scored.

All of the above.

Question What kind of essay is this?

8. What kind of essay is this?

expository

descriptive

process

argumentative