Stanford University Commencement Speech By Steve Jobs 2005

Which of the following best explains the meaning of the following quotation?: "[Y]ou can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards." (Paragraph 9)

• Don't concern yourself by looking back on the past; focus on your drive for the future.

• It's impossible to know how to get where you want to go, but as long as you're working hard, you'll get there.

• While you cannot predict the future, looking back you can often see how you got to where you are.

• It is okay to not have an expressed purpose in life; you'll find success once you find what you love.

Which statement from the text best supports the answer to Part A?

• "...it's likely that no personal computer would have them." (Paragraph 8)

• "...it was very, very clear looking backwards ten years later." (Paragraph 8)

• "...destiny, life, karma, whatever." (Paragraph 9)

• "This approach has never let me down..." (Paragraph 9)

Jobs' interest in calligraphy in college benefited him professionally later on by:

• Helping him design the first Macintosh computer

• Inspiring him to create the iPhone

• Leading him to start Pixar

• Encouraging him to drop out of college

Which of the following best explains the meaning of the following quote?: "It was awful tasting medicine, but I guess the patient needed it." (Paragraph 15)

• The cancer treatments Jobs had to endure were difficult physically and emotionally

• The experience was extremely difficult, but in hindsight, it was valuable

• Sometimes, you need to be able to swallow difficult information or experiences

• You have to suffer in order to grow

Which detail from the text best supports the answer to Part A?

• "...it turned out that getting fired from Apple was the best thing that could have ever happened to me." (Paragraph 13)

• "Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick." (Paragraph 15)

• "Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose." (Paragraph 18)

• "...they stuck an endoscope down my throat, through my stomach and into my intestines, put a needle into my pancreas..." (Paragraph 20)

In paragraph 16, Jobs says, "My third story is about death." What is the central idea of that story?

• Everyone dies eventually—don't take yourself more seriously or consider yourself more important than anyone else.

• The loss of a beloved person or position can be a catalyst for great life changes—embrace them.

• Your time on Earth is limited—don't spend it trying to please anyone but yourself.

• Don't waste your life working; instead focus only on what is fun and enjoyable.

Steve Jobs has faced many challenges; does he think about these changes positively or negatively?

• Positively

• Negatively

According to Jobs, being grown up means:

• Taking responsibility for your actions

• Achieving financial independence

• Having a successful career

• Starting a family

What advice does Steve Jobs give the graduates in 2005?

• Do what you love but never leave college

• Do what you love and don't settle

• Be Hungry

  Stay Hungry

• Become a doctor

What does Steve Jobs mean when he says, "Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish"?

• Always be curious and willing to take risks.

• Never be satisfied with your achievements.

• Keep striving for financial success.

• Always follow the rules and play it safe.