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Reading Comprehension Quiz (Jane Smiley, “Barbaro, The Heart in the Winner’s Circle”)

Reading Comprehension Quiz

Jane Smiley, “Barbaro, The Heart in the Winner’s Circle”

Read “Barbaro, The Heart in the Winner’s Circle” and check your comprehension by answering the following questions. Click the submit button when finished.

Question What does Smiley mean by “They are engineered so close to the margins of what is physically possible”?

1. What does Smiley mean by “They are engineered so close to the margins of what is physically possible”?

Race horses are designed by humans in factories.

Race horses are bred carefully and thoroughly.

Race horses are designed by a higher power for humans.

None of the above.

Question Smiley writes that the “horse’s hoof is a wondrous structure.” How is this ironic?

2. Smiley writes that the “horse’s hoof is a wondrous structure.” How is this ironic?

It was Barbaro’s broken leg that led to his death.

They really aren’t that complex.

Horse hooves are similar to human hands, and Smiley is a writer that is using her hands.

All of the above.

Question Smiley, through the first half of the article, describes horses using the language of engineering. What purpose might this serve to the reader?

3. Smiley, through the first half of the article, describes horses using the language of engineering. What purpose might this serve to the reader?

The detached, academic language effectively distances the writer and reader from an emotionally difficult subject.

Through the use of this language, the reader is able to better understand the anatomy of the horse.

The language reflects the fact that thoroughbred race horses are in some ways engineered.

All of the above.

Question Who was the intended audience for this article?

4. Who was the intended audience for this article?

horse racing fans

animal rights activists

veterinarians

the general public

Question Through the second half of the article, Smiley personifies Barbaro. What effect is she trying to achieve?

5. Through the second half of the article, Smiley personifies Barbaro. What effect is she trying to achieve?

She is working to build a case against horse racing.

She wants to alienate the audience from the horse before talking about his death.

She hopes to engage observers who feel that too much attention is being paid to an ailing race horse.

None of the above.

Question In Smiley’s conclusion, what might we conclude about horses?

6. In Smiley’s conclusion, what might we conclude about horses?

Horses don’t wish to run; they like to just stand around.

Horses run because that is what they are naturally inclined to do.

Horses run because they are trying to please the humans who own them.

Horses are prone to breaking their legs and only a lucky few survive.

Question The tone of this article can best be described as

7. The tone of this article can best be described as

joyful but somber.

defensive and reactionary.

sad and morbid.

technical and detached.

Question What is Smiley’s purpose in writing this obituary?

8. What is Smiley’s purpose in writing this obituary?

to pay tribute to a race horse who unfortunately was euthanized.

to pay tribute to the humans who tried to save Barbaro even though the odds were against them

to convince people that, while these circumstances were sad, Barbaro was loved and respected

All of the above.