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136 Unit 2 ■ Analyzing Comparisons and Representations

SUGGESTED RESPONSES the ball almost dribbled him Guided Questions
TO GUIDED QUESTIONS he formed his own lay-up line
in the bluegrass
4. Practicing basketball has become such a wildcat jersey
passion for the young boy that he no longer 45 hanging like a summer dress
sees the value of education. on a court made bald
5. The pronoun refers to the boy, emphasizing his from daily use
youthful lack of sophistication (in that he could 4 and instead of writing 4. The basketball court replaced what activity?
and instead of writing
barely understand the complex agreement) his spelling words
Copyright (c) 2023 Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers. Uncorrected proofs were used with this sample chapter.
and his lack of interest in education (in that he 5 50 he signed a contract
he signed a contract
could barely read the document because he he could barely read 5. How does the pronoun “he” here connect the literal and
he could barely read
wasn’t engaged in learning how at school). The inked a commitment figurative meanings of the poem?
pronoun may also refer to other young Black in big block letters
Distributed by Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers. Strictly for use with its products. Not for redistribution.
men like him.
6. The speaker compares the fame and success 55 to the NBA
and NIKE
of becoming a professional athlete or celebrity and SPRITE
to the experience regular school activities, 6 scribbled superstar in cursive 6. What is being compared to schoolwork? How does this
scribbled superstar in cursive
such as learning how to write in cursive and contribute to a deeper figurative meaning?
with a fat red pencil
memorizing the multiplication tables. This with a fat red pencil
implies that even while he is at school, the boy and practiced his
is solely focused on basketball. 60 million dollar smile
7. The repetition of “another” emphasizes the not his multiplication table
frequency and pervasiveness of death among thinking of how many
young Black people. chocolate milks
he could buy
65 with his signing bonus
or his all-star game
appearance fee
after recess
7 another shooting 7. How does the repetition of “another” contribute to your
another shooting
another tragic death
70 another tragic death interpretation of the poem?
another little genius
another little genius
who will never test out
of a dream
that kills legitimate futures
75 every night
under street lights
wherever these products
are sold . . .

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COMPREHENSION CHECK
1. What grade is the young boy in? [Third grade]
2. While the boy is practicing basketball, he imagines himself on the cover of what item? [A box
of Wheaties]
3. How often does the basketball court see use according to the text? [Daily]
4. The boy dreams of how many _________ he could buy with a “signing bonus” for being a
professional athlete. [chocolate milks]
5. What does the speaker imply happens to the “little genius” at the end of the poem? [He dies in
a shooting.]

TRM Unit 2: Comprehension Check Digital Comprehension Check

136 Unit 2 Analyzing Comparisons and Representations

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