Sometimes a Dream Needs a Push

1. Why did Chris’s dad stop playing professional basketball?

• A. He was offered a job at a tech company.

• B. Chris was born.

• C. He moved to Europe.

• D. He injured his knee.

2. How is Dad affected by the accident that causes Chris to lose his ability to walk?

• A. Dad feels angry and argues with Chris and Mom all the time.
• B. Dad blames himself for what happened, and grows quiet and detached.
• C. Dad becomes fearful of driving a car.
• D. Dad is hopeful and confident about Chris’s future.

3. How do Dad and Chris feel about wheelchair basketball at the beginning of the story?

• A. Both Dad and Chris are uninterested in the sport of wheelchair basketball.
• B. Dad wants Chris to play wheelchair basketball, while Chris is unsure about it.
• C. Dad and Chris are both excited about wheelchair basketball.
• D. Dad is unsure about wheelchair basketball, while Chris is excited to play.

4. When Mom asks Chris why Dad might have called Mr. Evans, Chris’s “heart sank.” In other words, Chris feels

• A. inspired.
• B. worried.
• C. surprised.
• D. angry.

5. Why is the moment in which Dad uses a wheelchair important?

• A. It helps Dad understand why Madison aims for the rim instead of the backboard.
• B. It reminds Dad how good he is at basketball.
• C. It makes Dad realize he doesn’t want to help coach Chris’s basketball team.
• D. It helps Dad better understand Chris’s experience in a wheelchair.

6. What are TWO themes of the story?

• A. Winning is the most important thing in life.
• B. Working through difficulties together can make relationships stronger.
• C. When obstacles arise in life, it doesn’t mean we have to give up our dreams.
• D. Money causes more problems than it solves.

7. How does the wheelchair basketball team impact Chris and Dad’s relationship? Use text evidence to support your answer.

8. What can Chris teach us about resilience—that is, the ability to withstand or recover from difficulty? Use details from the story to support your answer.