The Slump / John Updike

Test Practice

Compare and Contrast

With a partner, discuss how to answer these questions about the selection.

1. Contrast how the narrator feels at the plate with the way he felt before his slump began.
a. The narrator used to care about hitting the ball; now he cares too much.
b. The narrator never cared about hitting the ball until he found himself unable to.
c. The narrator used to desire to do well and win; now he just panics.
d. The narrator used to feel on top of the world; now he feels washed up.


What is the correct answer to the question above? How did the information you gathered during reading help you eliminate incorrect answers?

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