My Greatest Olympic Prize — Important Questions

Running broad jump (long jump)

Step 1: The chapter focuses on the qualifying trials and finals of a specific event. Step 2: Jesse mentions, 'When the time came for the broad-jump trials,' making it clear the event is the running broad jump. Step 3: A footnote explains that the running broad jump is more commonly known as the 'long jump.' Step 4: The 100-metre sprint is mentioned briefly in a side note, but it is not the focus of the story. Step 5: Discus throw and high jump are not mentioned at all in the chapter.

He was upset about Hitler's racist beliefs and attitude

Step 1: In paragraph 4, Owens says he was 'a little hot under the collar about Hitler's ways.' Step 2: 'Hot under the collar' means angry, as the glossary tells us. Step 3: Owens was angered by the Nazi belief in Aryan superiority and Hitler's attitude towards Black people. Step 4: He wanted to prove that Hitler's 'master race' theory was wrong. Step 5: The other options — lost shoes, sickness, coach argument — are not mentioned anywhere in the text.

He fouled both times

Step 1: In paragraph 5, Owens describes what happened during his qualifying attempts. Step 2: 'On the first of my three qualifying jumps, I leaped from several inches beyond the take-off board for a foul.' Step 3: 'On the second jump, I fouled even worse.' Step 4: A foul occurs when an athlete steps beyond the take-off board, making the jump invalid. Step 5: Owens was worried about fouling out of the trials, meaning he could be eliminated if he fouled the third time too.

Draw a line a few inches behind the take-off board and aim from there

Step 1: In paragraph 14, Luz Long gives Jesse a practical piece of advice. Step 2: He said, 'Why don't you draw a line a few inches in back of the board and aim at making your take-off from there?' Step 3: This way, Owens would be sure not to foul (step over the board) and still jump far enough to qualify. Step 4: Long reminded Owens that qualifying was what mattered — 'What does it matter if you're not first in the trials? Tomorrow is what counts.' Step 5: The advice worked — Owens qualified with almost a foot to spare.