This passage is adapted from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, “The Importance of Athlete Activists.” ©2015 by Time USA, LLC.

Question

In paragraph 1 (“America . . . interfering”), the author uses the word “lionized” to
Responses

illustrate how lucrative professional sports can be.
Answer A: illustrate how lucrative professional sports can be.
A

emphasize the fans’ admiration of professional athletes.
Answer B: emphasize the fans’ admiration of professional athletes.
B

describe the challenges athletes face when making political statements.
Answer C: describe the challenges athletes face when making political statements.
C

show that athletes have the ability to influence public opinion.

This passage is adapted from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, “The Importance of Athlete Activists.” ©2015 by Time USA, LLC.
Which sentence best supports the author’s claim that athletes are sometimes used by governments to make political statements?
Responses

“Fans want to indulge in the escapism of the sport without the heavy baggage of real life interfering.” (paragraph 1)
Answer A: “Fans want to indulge in the escapism of the sport without the heavy baggage of real life interfering.” (paragraph 1)
A

“In 1980, the U.S. and 59 other countries boycotted the Summer Olympics in Moscow to protest the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan.” (paragraph 3)
Answer B: “In 1980, the U.S. and 59 other countries boycotted the Summer Olympics in Moscow to protest the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan.” (paragraph 3)
B

“But when athletes wish to stand up for causes they personally believe in, they are often condemned.” (paragraph 4)
Answer C: “But when athletes wish to stand up for causes they personally believe in, they are often condemned.” (paragraph 4)
C

“Ali’s sacrifice inspired me to boycott the 1968 Olympic basketball team to call attention to the rampant racial injustice of the time, which resulted in people calling me ‘un-American.’” (paragraph 4)

Answer 1

1. In paragraph 1, the author uses the word “lionized” to:

Answer B: emphasize the fans’ admiration of professional athletes.

2. Which sentence best supports the author’s claim that athletes are sometimes used by governments to make political statements?

Answer B: “In 1980, the U.S. and 59 other countries boycotted the Summer Olympics in Moscow to protest the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan.” (paragraph 3)