Speech Fever
A. Gautam
KARI, a seventh grader
TOM, Kari's classmate
NINA, a seventh grader from another class
COACH SPEAR, the basketball and debate team coach
[Curtains open. students, coaches, and judges are at the gymnasium with a stage. Coach Spear and his students take seats.]
COACH SPEAR: You are ready, Nina. You will crush them. I know it.
NINA: Hmm. Yeah. I have it memorized.
COACH SPEAR: Umm. Do you have those note cards? They may help if you forget a point or two.
NINA: No need. I have it memorized.
COACH SPEAR: [eyes Tom and Kari to see if they have their note cards. Relieved to see their note cards.] Did you guys also memorize the whole thing?
TOM: [smiles] Well, no. I was going to refer to my note cards. I don’t do well with memorizing.
KARI: [fidgeting with her note cards] I am not ready at all, coach. I don’t want to talk right now. I need to focus. Sorry.
NINA: Coach, can you ask them to dim the lights a bit? I think I’m getting a migraine. The stage light is too bright.
COACH SPEAR: Did you take anything for it? Do you have anything?
NINA: No. I didn’t. Maybe I can ask the school nurse.
COACH SPEAR: We don’t have time. Unless you go last.
NINA: I think I will feel worse if I wait. I’ll go first. [feedback of the microphones and sound system gets loud and screechy] Make it stop. Ugh. I feel worse.
COACH SPEAR: Here, take some water. [faded voice of the announcer is heard] I think you’re first.
NINA: Coach, I forgot my opening. It was so good. It was the most important part. Oh man. My head’s splitting. I can’t. I can’t.
COACH SPEAR: Tom will go first. Is that okay with you, Tom? Take a moment, Nina. Write what you can remember. Breathe.
[Nina drops her folder, water bottle, and phone. Everyone turns around to look at her. Nina buries her head in her hands and shrinks in her chair. Curtains close.]
Question
Which statement best describes how the author provides the points of view of Tom and Nina?
Responses
A The author compares Tom’s state of mind and preparation for the speech to Nina’s. The author compares Tom’s state of mind and preparation for the speech to Nina’s.
B The author compares Tom’s notes to Nina’s notes as they prepare for the speeches. The author compares Tom’s notes to Nina’s notes as they prepare for the speeches.
C The author reveals that Nina agrees with the coach’s ideas more than Tom as they prepare. The author reveals that Nina agrees with the coach’s ideas more than Tom as they prepare.
D The author shows Nina is less affected by the surroundings compared to Tom. The author shows Nina is less affected by the surroundings compared to Tom.
1 answer
1 answer