Question

unlikely allies
jesse owens was an american track and field superstar in running and jumping. he qualified for the 1936 olympic games in berlin, germany. at the time, adolph hitler was the leader of germany. hitler believed his people were better than other people in every way. he looked forward to german athletes winning many gold medals in front of large crowds. however, owens won three gold medals in three races, much to hitlers displeasure. his last event was the long jump. owens had fouled twice and was in danger of not qualifying for the finals. luz long, the german long jump champion, told him to take off a foot behind the foul line. it worked. owens went on to win the gold medal in the long jump, while long took the silver. the german was the first to congratulate the american before they walked together from the stadium. this story of good sportsmanship is unusual not only because owens and long were competing against each other. it is also important because they were of different races and cultures. the two men remained friends until long was killed in world war ii. before he died, luz long wrote a final letter to jesse owens asking him to go to germany and tell his son about \how things could be between men on this earth.\ and jesse did.

1. context clues and the prefix dis - help the reader understand that displeasure means ---

a) satisfaction
b) delight
c) approval
d) irritation

1. the reader can conclude that hitler was most unhappy because ---

a) owens was not supposed to be better than any german athlete
b) no one came to the olympics
c) he didnt like silver medals
d) owens qualified for the long jump finals

1. what did luz long do right after jesse owens won the long jump gold medal?

a) he helped owens qualify for the finals.
b) he left the stadium.
c) he told owens he didnt deserve it.
d) he congratulated him.

1. what was the message long asked owens to give to his son in germany?

a) they had become friends during an olympic event.
b) their friendship was an example of how people should treat each other.
c) luz helped jesse win the gold medal.
d) they were the best long jumpers.

Explanation:

1. The prefix "dis -" often means the opposite. In context, Hitler expected German athletes to win, so Owens' success caused his annoyance. "Irritation" is the negative - meaning word.
2. Hitler believed his people were superior. Owens' victory over German athletes went against his ideology.
3. The text states "The German was the first to congratulate the American before they walked together from the stadium."
4. Luz Long asked Owens to tell his son about "how things could be between men on this earth", which implies their friendship was an example of how people should treat each other.

Answer:

1. D. irritation
2. A. Owens was not supposed to be better than any German athlete
3. D. He congratulated him.
4. B. Their friendship was an example of how people should treat each other.