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 develops the central idea that enthusiasm is important to achieving dreams through a personal story of Coach Setliff’s unconventional coaching method. It demonstrates how stepping outside of traditional roles and embracing spontaneity can lead to unexpected successes, suggesting that enthusiasm can create opportunities to excel, even in challenging situations. By emphasizing the excitement and energy generated during those moments, Pausch illustrates that a positive attitude and willingness to take risks can help not only oneself but also inspire others to achieve their goals. Therefore, the best choice would be:

It uses a story to show how enthusiasm is important to achieving dreams.