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Reading Comprehension Quiz (Kris Vervaecke, “A Spectator’s Notebook”)

Reading Comprehension Quiz

Kris Vervaecke, “A Spectator’s Notebook”

Read “A Spectator’s Notebook” and check your comprehension by answering the following questions. Click the submit button when finished.

Question What type of essay is “A Spectator’s Notebook”?

1. What type of essay is “A Spectator’s Notebook”?

expository

descriptive

narrative

argumentative

Question How does Vervaecke feel about sports?

2. How does Vervaecke feel about sports?

Sports are genuinely good for building character and having fun, but they should not be the focus of childhood.

Sports are ruining today’s youth because kids are not getting into college prepared to do college-level work.

All kids should be intensely involved with sports so that they can achieve success in both school and in life.

Sports are best confined to early childhood because once kids reach middle and high school, they need to focus on college and career goals.

Question Vervaecke recalls her time playing softball with the other girls and relates that the game was merely a way “to build tension between Mary” and herself. As she relates the fight between herself and Mary, how does she feel about those fights as an adult?

3. Vervaecke recalls her time playing softball with the other girls and relates that the game was merely a way “to build tension between Mary” and herself. As she relates the fight between herself and Mary, how does she feel about those fights as an adult?

She is ashamed of her behavior.

She is still carrying a grudge against Mary.

She feels thrilled and alive to recall the raw emotion.

She feels sad, remorseful, and apologetic.

Question Vervaecke relates part of a quiz show she overheard on a radio program. What can be inferred by the inclusion of this in the essay?

4. Vervaecke relates part of a quiz show she overheard on a radio program. What can be inferred by the inclusion of this in the essay?

Vervaecke wants the reader to note that men are perceived to be more obsessed with sports than women.

Women are just as competitive as men, hence the woman playing in the quiz show.

Women don’t understand or pay attention to sports.

None of the above.

Question Vervaecke notes that her kids played sports. How does Vervaecke interpret her kids’ reactions to playing sports?

5. Vervaecke notes that her kids played sports. How does Vervaecke interpret her kids’ reactions to playing sports?

Sports were a welcome distraction for her kids that would enable them to earn scholarships.

Vervaecke’s kids hated sports and cried when they were made to play them.

Her kids could have been better if she had helped them to focus more.

Her kids played sports more for the fun of playing and not necessarily in order to be the best players.

Question What does Vervaecke note that her son Ben got from sports?

6. What does Vervaecke note that her son Ben got from sports?

a competitive spirit that led him to more scholarships

a keen intellect for strategy

an appreciation for the bodily release of play

All of the above.

Question In paragraphs 25-28, Vervaecke writes about the students she has in her college classes who are gifted athletes playing sports at the collegiate level compared to her own children. What does Vervaecke reveal about her feelings for competitive, elite high school athletic programs?

7. In paragraphs 25–28, Vervaecke writes about the students she has in her college classes who are gifted athletes playing sports at the collegiate level compared to her own children. What does Vervaecke reveal about her feelings for competitive, elite high school athletic programs?

These programs are providing opportunities for kids to get to college and to be successful.

These programs are providing outlets for kids to be able to stay off drugs and out of trouble.

The programs are great for turning out superb athletes, but are not preparing kids for the academic realities of college.

None of the above.

Question Vervaecke relates the story of her daughter’s thirteenth birthday party, during which Emily was the high scorer for her team, immediately after she has told the story of her daughter playing only the last minutes of a lopsided victory for her high school team. Why does she juxtapose these two stories?

8. Vervaecke relates the story of her daughter’s thirteenth birthday party, during which Emily was the high scorer for her team, immediately after she has told the story of her daughter playing only the last minutes of a lopsided victory for her high school team. Why does she juxtapose these two stories?

Vervaecke is showing what happens when a child is allowed to play for the joy of the game rather than for competition.

Vervaecke wishes to show how good her daughter really is.

Vervaecke allows the reader to see that competitive sports, while harsh sometimes, prepare students for the reality of the world where not everyone gets to play.

All of the above.