Petit vs Koxa

Which of the following statements best analyzes the metaphor “stairs to success” (2nd paragraph) in the context of the passage, “Walking in the Air”?

• This metaphor emphasizes that Petit’s path to accomplishing his desired high-wire feat included multiple steps.

• This metaphor highlights the fact that Petit accomplished his high-wire feat with the help of his trusted friends.

• This metaphor supports the idea that Petit’s high-wire ambitions looked dangerous but were actually as safe as walking upstairs.

• This metaphor underscores the point that people should be very careful in their pursuit of high-wire stunts.

Based on paragraphs 5 and 6 in “Riding Giants,” explain the effect of Koxa’s near-death experience on his surfing career.

• Koxa’s near death experience in 2014 shattered his confidence, leading him to end his career and step away from surfing and any formal competition.

• Koxa’s near death experience in 2014 did little to hamper his confidence in big wave surfing. He immediately faced another set of these rolling mountains of water.

• Koxa’s near death experience in 2014 greatly impacted his courage and confidence. It would take the help of a small and dedicated group of people to encourage Koxa to return to the sport he loved so much.

• Koxa’s near death experience led to terrifying dreams, but they did not affect his desire and ability to continue surfing monstrous waves.

Which of the following lines from “Walking in Air” best illustrates Philippe Petit’s dedication to performing a successful high-wire act between the World Trade Towers?

• After witnessing circus high-wire acts, Petit was hooked and strung up his own wire on which to practice between two trees in his parents’ backyard.

• Yet Petit’s dream, first and foremost, was to take his act to the World Trade Towers.

• Leaving nothing to chance, Petit used the information he gathered from his reconnaissance missions to build a model back in France that exactly replicated the distance between the towers.

• When he was a young adult, he took his practice walks to the next level, walking between the tops of the two towers of the cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris.

Compare and contrast the impact of Philippe Petit and Rodrigo Koxa’s inner group of friends on their daring feats.

• While Philippe Petit depended on his core group of friends to help him successfully walk between the towers, Rodrigo Koxa had only himself to rely on as he navigated the monstrous wave on November 8, 2017.

• While Rodrigo Koxa had his tow-in partner, Sergio Cosme, in addition to a safety crew on standby, Philippe Petit set up his high-wire operation with only one trusted accomplice.

• Both Philippe Petit and Rodrigo Koxa had groups of close friends, but neither inner circle impacted their daring feats.

• Both Philippe Petit and Rodrigo Koxa had a reliable team of friends to assist them in accomplishing their daring feats.

Which of the following lines best interprets the New York City authorities’ ultimate reaction to Philippe Petit’s 1974 high wire stunt?

• Law enforcement was quick to notice as well, and it wasn’t long before they were on the roofs of the towers, waiting to arrest Petit.

• While originally booked for disorderly conduct and trespassing, just hours later, Manhattan’s district attorney dropped all charges in exchange for a free public performance in Central Park, where Petit once again showed off his daring aerial skills, walking on a rope between two trees!

• Eight trips across the wire (even pausing to kneel down, lay down, and salute the sky) and forty-five minutes later, Petit turned himself in to the police officers waiting with handcuffs.

• He completed both these achievements without permission from local authorities.

Which of the following best summarizes the main idea of both passages?

• Philippe Petit and Rodrigo Koxa are both extremely talented individuals who, with the help of a trusted team, accomplished daring feats in their respective fields.

• High-wire walking and big wave surfing are extremely dangerous sports and should only be attempted with all safety precautions in place.

• Depending on a group of trusted friends was essential for the success of both Philippe Petit and Rodrigo Koxa.

• Philippe Petit and Rodrigo Koxa received world-wide attention for their once-in-a-lifetime accomplishments.

Which sentence does the author use to demonstrate the specific dangers of big wave surfing?

• These massive waves bring with them increased dangers for the athletes that attempt to outsurf them.

• But in 2014, he had a near-death experience while surfing that led to terrifying dreams and his stepping away from big wave surfing for a year, causing him to lose not only his sponsorships but his confidence.

• Turning and rushing for the safety of the channel, Koxa was immediately picked up and taken away from the lineup of waves.

• Added to this is the possibility of powerful currents crashing surfers into ocean reefs at extreme force, or surfers even rising to the surface only to face consecutive walls of waves slamming into them.

Which of the following details indicates that Rodrigo Koxa is determined?

• “Upon surfing this monstrous wave in Nazaré, Portugal on November 8, 2017, Koxa, age 38 at the time, also became the official world record holder for the biggest wave ever surfed in history.”

• “Through work with a coach, as well as gradually working his way up to big waves alongside a close crew and team, Koxa slowly regained the courage to face these mammoth, rolling mountains of water again.”

• “Letting go of his tow rope, he rode straight down the wave instead of at an angle, which would have resulted in a loss of energy from the wave.”

• “Reflecting back on this perhaps once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Koxa is filled with gratitude and respect for the people who helped him overcome his fears and train with him to take on this most dangerous and daring feat.”

Based on the 3rd paragraph in the passage “Walking in Air,” what can the reader infer about Philippe Petit?

• Philippe Petit was certain he would one day become a high-wire performer.

• Philippe Petit’s disinterest in school was because the lessons were difficult for him.

• Philippe Petit was better at performance skills than he was at academic achievements.

• Philippe Petit was ambitious about progressing his skills as a high-wire performer.

Which of the following best describes the theme of the two passages?

• A combination of patience, persistence, desire, and skill results in the accomplishment of one’s dreams.

• A combination of human error, physical exertion, and a heightened risk of death makes extreme sports dangerous.

• A combination of natural talent, a positive mindset, and good luck is necessary to overcome obstacles.

• A combination of knowledge of one’s sport, a qualified coach, and state of the art practice facilities is essential for achieving success in one’s athletic field.