<p>Name: ______I Beat the Odds By: Michael Oher, with Don Yaeger Chapter 8 MJ & Me Vocabulary Career (page 88)- an occupation or profession, especially one requiring special training, followed as one's lifework Reflexes (page 89)- an involuntary response to a stimulus; responsive Unique (page 89)- having no like or equal; unparalleled; incomparable Series (page 90)- a group or a number of related or similar things, events, etc… Streak (page 90)- a spell or run: a streak of good luck. Intense (page 90)- acute, strong, or vehement, as sensations, feelings, or emotions Silhouette (page 91)- a dark image outlined against a lighter background. Role model (page 93)- a person whose behavior, example, or success is or can be emulated by others Discipline (page 94) - training to act in accordance with rules; drill Eligibility (page 94) - meeting the stipulated requirements, as to participate, compete, or work; qualified Upended (page 94) -to affect drastically or radically, as tastes, opinions, reputations, or systems. Comprehension Questions 1. Describe how Michael Oher compared himself to Martin Luther King Jr. ______</p><p>______pg. # _____</p><p>2. What was meant by “fighting gravity” or “fighting against the odds”? ______</p><p>______pg. # _____</p><p>3 . What did Michael Oher mean by “being bounced around foster homes”? ______</p><p>______pg. # _____</p><p>4. What was meant by “all of the drama came to a head?” ______</p><p>______pg. # _____</p><p>5. How does a sports team “turn up the heat?” ______</p><p>______pg. # _____</p><p>6. Did Michael Oher think he had the personality to do this type of career? ______</p><p>7. How did Michael Oher try to “prep” himself to get out of the projects? pg. # ______</p><p>______8. What does it mean to “slack off”? ______</p><p>______pg. # _____ Chapter 9 Big Tony & Steve Vocabulary Varsity (page 98)- any first-string team, especially in sports, that represents a school, college, university, or the like. Fanatical (page 99)- motivated or characterized by an extreme, uncritical enthusiasm or zeal Challenging (page 100)- stimulating, interesting, and thought-provoking Perspective (page 101)- a mental view or prospect Addiction (page 101)- the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit -forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma Indulgent (pg. 101)- having a tendency to be overly generous to or lenient with someone Trudging (page 103)- to walk wearily along or over Obscene (page 103)- offensive to morality or decency; indecent; depraved Pathetic (page 105)- miserably or contemptibly inadequate Comprehension Questions 1. What was meant by “getting them to buckle down”? ______</p><p>______pg. # _____</p><p>2. Who was Big Tony and how did he impact Michael Oher’s life? ______</p><p>______pg. # _____</p><p>3. What was meant by “bit out of the fray”? ______</p><p>______pg. # _____ 4. Why was basketball a hard sport for Michael Oher to “fit in”? ______</p><p>______pg. # _____</p><p>6. What stereotype did Big Tony want people to use when they met or saw Michael Oher? ______</p><p>______pg. # _____ 7. What did Michael Oher mean by not wanting to be anyone’s “meal ticket?” ______</p><p>______pg. # _____ Chapter 10 The Road to Briarcrest Vocabulary Mind-set (page 110)- an attitude, disposition, or mood Temporary (page 111)- not permanent Opportunities (page 111)- a good position, chance, or prospect, as for advancement or success Techniques (page 116)- method of performance; way of accomplishing Lump (page 116)- a heavy, clumsy, and usually stupid person</p><p>Comprehension Questions 1. Although Michael Oher loved his family, how did he really feel about living with them? ______</p><p>______pg. # _____</p><p>2. What simile did Michael Oher use as a reference when he described the housing projects “pulling him back in?” ______</p><p>______pg. # _____</p><p>3. How did Michael Oher describe Big Tony and Steve’s role in the neighborhood?</p><p>______pg. # _____</p><p>4. What was meant by some of the school being “powerhouses”? ______</p><p>______pg. # _____</p><p>5. Why was it a problem for Michael Oher to be considered a candidate for one of these schools? ______</p><p>______pg. # _____</p><p>6. What subject at Gateway did Michael Oher find the most challenging for him?</p><p>______pg. # _____</p><p>7. What was meant by “opening up doors for more opportunities?” ______</p><p>______pg. # _____</p><p>8. What made Briarcrest reconsider their decision about Michael Oher? ______pg. # _____</p><p>VOCABULARY FOR CHAPTERS 11-14</p><p>Chapter 11 High School</p><p>Vocabulary Overwhelming (pg.119)- To overpower or overcome, especially with superior forces; destroy; crush Minority (pg. 121)- The smaller part or number; a number, part, or amount forming less than half of the whole Diverse (pg. 121)- of various kinds or forms Enthusiastic (pg. 124)- An occupation, activity, or pursuit in which such interest is shown Betrayal (pg. 128) – to be unfaithful Foundational (pg. 128) – the basis or groundwork of anything</p><p>Chapter 12 Finding a Family</p><p>Vocabulary</p><p>Transition (pg. 133)- movement, passage, or change from one position Potentially (pg. 135)- possibly but not yet actually Quirks (pg. 142)- a peculiarity of action, behavior, or personality</p><p>Chapter 13 Finding Football</p><p>Vocabulary</p><p>Street-ball (pg. 149)- an informal type of basketball played especially in urban areas such as parking lots, playgrounds Reliable (pg. 153)- dependable in achievement, accuracy, honesty Escorted (pg. 155)- to attend or accompany</p><p>Chapter 14 Miss Sue</p><p>Vocabulary</p><p>Confidence (pg 159)- belief in oneself and one's powers or abilities Rigid (pg. 162)- firmly fixed or set Fortunate (pg. 163)- receiving good from uncertain or unexpected sources; lucky Student-athlete (pg. 164)- a participant in an organized competitive sport sponsored by the educational institution in which he or she is enrolled Chapter 11 High School</p><p>1. Compare and contrast the previous schools (& students at the schools) that Oher attended with Briarcrest. List at least 5 differences and as many similarities as you can find. pg #___</p><p>Previous Schools Briarcrest</p><p>2. What realization did Oher come to regarding the schoolwork at Briarcrest? pg. 123</p><p>______</p><p>3. In YOUR OWN WORDS, identify the cause & effect in the paragraph on p. 125 that begins with, “As my study plan developed…”</p><p>CAUSE: ______</p><p>EFFECT: ______</p><p>4. Which figurative language did Oher use on p. 126 in the passage, “Apparently, I did pretty well because my coach started laughing like a maniac.” ______</p><p>5. Oher’s teachers worked on his academic needs during the summer, but he had bigger problems… What was his problem? ______</p><p>______pg. # _____</p><p>6. Describe the conflicting emotions Oher was feeling in regard to Briarcrest on p. 128.</p><p>______Chapter 12 Finding a Family 1. What was Oher afraid would happen if everyone realized that he had nowhere to live or go back to? ______</p><p>______pg# _____</p><p>2. Who was Oher’s lunch sponsor? ______pg# _____</p><p>How is this an example of foreshadowing? ______</p><p>______</p><p>3. Which figurative language is being used on p. 135 in the passage, “….I was afraid to go back to my old neighborhood because I felt like it might swallow me up one day and never let me back out?” ______</p><p>4. Refer to the prologue on p. xvi & p. 136 in chapter 12. What differences from The Blind Side are reality are pointed out? ______</p><p>______</p><p>5. Which figurative language is being used on p. 137 in the passage, “…instead of making me look like I was so huge I was about to rip out of them like the Incredible Hulk.” ______</p><p>6. Use the text structure of DESCRIPTION to explain life with the Tuohys’. pg #______</p><p>______</p><p>______</p><p>______</p><p>______</p><p>7. What was Oher’s life like with his birth family once he permanently moved in with the Tuohys’. ______</p><p>______</p><p>______pg# _____ Chapter 13 Finding Football 1. Throughout chapter 13, Oher discusses playing basketball & then football. List at least 5 differences and as many similarities as you can find.</p><p>BASKETBALL FOOTBALL 2. Which figurative language is being used on p. 147 in the passage, “…on the basketball court, the scariest thing to ever block a shot but also totally graceful as I flew through the air taking the ball to the basket.” ______</p><p>3. On p. 150, Oher gives another example of The Blind Side being exaggerated for “a good story on screen.” What was this example? ______</p><p>______</p><p>4. Which figurative language is being used on p. 151 in the passage, “It [football game] was a workout for my mind.” ______5. The last paragraph on p. 151 gives a good example of the problem/solution text structure. Categorize the problem / solution below:</p><p>PROBLEM: ______</p><p>______</p><p>SOLUTION: ______</p><p>______</p><p>6. Oher states that you can’t use the same etiquette at a fancy restaurant as you would at a McDonald’s. Make inferences as to why using the same etiquette would be inappropriate. ______Chapter 14 Miss Sue</p><p>1. Two different examples of figurative language are used on p. 159 in the passage, 1 st :“My mind was racing 100 miles an hour, 2 nd: hungry for whatever subject I was studying.” What is the 1st? ______2nd: ______</p><p>2. Page 160 gives a good example of the order/sequence text structure. List the steps from this example and explain why this is an example: ______</p><p>______</p><p>1st: ______</p><p>2nd : ______</p><p>3rd : ______</p><p>4th : ______</p><p>3. Use context clues to determine the meaning of a “You gotta get paid” mentality on p. 161. ______</p><p>______</p><p>4. What does Oher say one of the proudest accomplishments in his life is? pg# ______</p><p>______</p><p>Why do you think this is STILL one of his proudest moments? ______</p><p>______</p><p>5. What does Oher have to say to the people who think that he is just another dumb football player who only graduated from Briarcrest because he had a lot of people helping him so that he could get into college? ______</p><p>______</p><p>______pg# _____ </p>