“But this year, I planned to win. In fact, I was obsessed with winning—it was the only thing I could think about.”
What is the meaning of the word obsessed?
focused on one thing only
disappointed by something
hopeful for a long time
full of confusion about
What does the word uncertainty in paragraph 2 help readers understand about the narrator’s feelings at the start of the race?
She realizes she is not sure of the race rules.
She feels confident she will win the race.
She worries about what will happen in the race.
She feels annoyed that she is running against her rival.
Which meaning of charged is used in paragraph 3 of the story?
filled with electricity
asked for payment
blamed each other
moved forward quickly
Which context clue in paragraph 5 best helps readers understand what accomplished means?
“Anna rushed over smiling”
“I had been looking at Anna all wrong”
“She was not some evil person”
“She had won many races”
In Greek mythology, a muse is a goddess who gives
inspiration to others. Which two clues from “Out to Win” explain why the narrator refers to Anna Banks as “my muse” in paragraph 5.
She shook my hand and panted, “That was amazing! Great race!”
That’s when I realized I had been looking at Anna all wrong.
She had won many races, and she enjoyed racing other hard-working runners to challenge herself.
Competing against her had made me a better racer than I ever would have become otherwise.
She was not some evil person out to destroy me. Anna was an accomplished runner.
Select two sentences that best show Kasper and Carl are easily overpowered by the guards.
Kasper clutched his leg and breathed heavily.
He looked up at me, grinning weakly, and said, “The pair of us, with our shovels and rakes, we weren’t much of a match for those guards and their swords, were we?
We were like two leaves against a powerful wind.”
He laughed, but I could hear the pain in his voice.
It hurt me to see my friend Kasper suffering so much.
What is the meaning of burdened as it is used in paragraph 4?
to be unlucky
having many questions
dealing with something difficult
given a serious injury
What is the meaning of pondering as it is used in paragraph 5?
to repeat slowly and loudly
to think deeply and carefully about something
to put words into action
to try to ignore or forget something
What does imprisoned mean as it is used in paragraph 5?
to be stuck in a bad situation
very saddened or upset
kept locked in a jail
accused of doing a crime
Which detail from paragraph 5 best supports the answer to the question 9?
“I realized that he might very well be right.”
“If I went alone, I could go quickly and get help for Kasper.”
“But what if Kasper did not survive till then?”
“I would be trapped by my own thoughts of the friend I left behind.”
