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

Question

In paragraph 2 (“Despite . . . frivolous”), how does the author respond to the criticism “stick to basketball” ?
Responses

He reminds the reader that he has not played basketball professionally for many years, so he no longer considers himself an athlete.
Answer A: He reminds the reader that he has not played basketball professionally for many years, so he no longer considers himself an athlete.
A

He counters that his critics have not considered the ways in which his experience as a basketball player has been valuable in shaping his political opinions.
Answer B: He counters that his critics have not considered the ways in which his experience as a basketball player has been valuable in shaping his political opinions.
B

He states that he only makes political statements that are relevant to his own personal experience.
Answer C: He states that he only makes political statements that are relevant to his own personal experience.
C

He points out that his critics weaken their own arguments by associating the value of an opinion with a specific profession.

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

For the first question about how the author responds to the criticism "stick to basketball," the best answer is:

He points out that his critics weaken their own arguments by associating the value of an opinion with a specific profession.

For the second question regarding which sentence best supports the author’s claim that athletes are sometimes used by governments to make political statements, the best answer is:

“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)

This sentence provides a clear example of how athletes and sports events have been utilized in political contexts.