I had another coach, Coach Setliff, and he taught me a lot about the power of enthusiasm. He did this one thing where only for one play at a time he would put people in at like the most horrifically wrong position for them. . . . And boy, the other team just never knew what hit 'em them. Because when you're only doing it for one play and you're just not where you're supposed to be, and freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose, boy are you going to clean somebody's clock for that one play. And that kind of enthusiasm was great. And to this day, I am most comfortable on a football field.

Question

—“The Last Lecture,”
Randy Pausch

How does this paragraph develop the central idea that it is important to achieve one’s dreams and help others achieve theirs?

It uses a story to show how enthusiasm is important to achieving dreams.
It uses a lecture to show the importance of doing what one is best at.
It uses a real example of how being a good coach is what really matters.
It uses a speech to explain all of the dreams that Pausch had and how he achieved them.

Answer 1

The paragraph primarily focuses on the role of enthusiasm in achieving one’s dreams, particularly in the context of teamwork and coaching. By describing Coach Setliff’s unconventional strategy of placing players in mismatched positions for a single play, Pausch illustrates how this approach, driven by enthusiasm and a sense of freedom, can lead to unexpected success. It highlights the importance of stepping outside one's comfort zone and embracing spontaneity, which can elevate performance and influence outcomes positively. This example demonstrates that enthusiasm can empower individuals to achieve their goals and contribute to the successes of others, ultimately supporting the wider theme of achieving dreams both personally and collectively.

Therefore, the best answer to how the paragraph develops the central idea is: It uses a story to show how enthusiasm is important to achieving dreams.