1. Time Yourself.
See how long it takes to read the passage "A True Athlete" below. Write your
total time in minutes and seconds in the space provided at the end of the reading.
A True Athlete
By John D. Whitman
One of the most moving and emotional aspects of sporting events is the chance for an
athlete to become, for a moment, superhuman.
That comment doesn't refer to weight lifters hefting never-before-achieved weights, or
high jumpers clearing bars at new heights. Some of sports' greatest moments happen
regardless of the number of goals or the speed of the winner. They happen when one player
meets an impossible challenge.
These moments are so incredible, so perfect, that if they were written into fictional stories
no one would believe them.
One of the greatest of these athletes is Michael Jordan, the former star of basketball's
Chicago Bulls. Jordan's career is one long list of high scores, heroic moments, and highlight
films. He led his team to six championships in the 1990s.
Fans and announcers alike speculated that 1998 would be Jordan's last season. That year,
Jordan carried the Bulls to yet another championship series. They faced the Utah Jazz, a team
that had beaten them during all regular season games.
Following Jordan's lead, the Bulls took control of the first few games of the series.
Although they led the series 3-2 at the start of Game 6, momentum shifted to the Jazz, thanks to
their All-Star power forward Karl Malone.
But the Bulls had Jordan, and he did not like to lose. In the final moments of a career full
of magical moments, he proceeded to orchestrate a series of moves that would epitomize all
his achievements.
He scored a lay-up with 37 seconds left that cut the lead to 86-85.
Then, as Malone tried to take position near the basket, Jordan snuck around him and stole
the ball. Dribbling downcourt, the superstar hesitated for a moment as guard Bryon Russell
blocked him. Jordan leaned to his left, then turned back to his right, faking Russell almost onto
his hands and knees.
Open for a split second, Jordan shot the ball with 5.2 seconds left. The ball hit nothing but
the bottom of the net as it sailed through the basket, placing the Bulls into the lead. The Bulls
won the game, and took their sixth championship.
It seemed like too much to ask: a great player at the end of a great career, summoning all
his skills for one final moment of superhuman effort.
But the sports world expects greatness from athletes, and Michael Jordan literally rose to
the occasion.
➞
Mark your reading time here: _____ (minutes) _____ (seconds).
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