Sports and Brain Injuries

On page 6, Lauren Tarshis writes that Zack’s brain “was a ticking time bomb.” This line contains

• a simile that shows how severe Zack’s pain was.

• a metaphor that emphasizes how slowly the second half of the game passed.

• a metaphor that expresses how dangerous it is to continue playing a sport with a concussion.

• hyperbole that shows how explosive Tahoma’s tackles were.

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Which is a central idea of the article?

• Concussion rates in the NFL are decreasing.

• There are ways to reduce athletes’ risk of serious head injury.

• The NFL contributes millions of dollars to brain injury research.

• Madden NFL is a popular video game.

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How does the infographic “What to Know About Concussions” contribute to the article?

• It helps readers understand how common concussions are and how to stay safe.

• It summarizes how the sport of football has evolved over time

• It explains how Zack’s brain injury could have been prevented.

• It describes the most popular sports among kids and teens today.

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On page 8, Tarshis writes that in therapy, Zack works “with the same gritty strength that made him a star on the field.” Based on context clues, what is the definition of gritty?

• showing courage and determination

• containing bits of sand

• feeling or showing pride

• soft and delicate

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On page 7, Tarshis writes of Madden NFL, “No longer are injured players glamorized.” Which line provides an example of football injuries being glamorized?

• “Late in the game’s first half, Zack tackled a runner rushing toward the end zone.” (p. 5)

• “When his head hit the ground, his brain shook violently against the inside of his skull.” (p. 5)

• “Sportscasters ran highlight reels that celebrated the most brutal hits of the week in college and professional football.” (p. 6)

• “Zack and his family remain advocates for safety in youth sports.” (p. 8)

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Tarshis most likely wrote “Deadly Hits ” to

• help inform readers about the dangers of concussions.

• share the latest brain science research.

• compare and contrast football and soccer.

• show how school sports instill discipline.

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