Read the following extract and answer the questions given below it.
We were both watching the tape for the first time, so I didn’t anticipate the commentator’s story that would unfold. After I hit the home run, the announcer, Harry Kalas, explained that if had been six long weeks since my last hit. Mom and I held hands and listened to Kalas continue, “John Morris had really struggled the second half of this season, and this couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.” I could feel the tears building up inside the two of us, as he showed a slow motion replay of my dramatic home run. As the pitcher would up, Kalas uttered the sweetest words my mom had ever heard. “John’s mom has been quite ill for some time,” and as the ball connected with the bat, he finished, “and this one was probably for his mom.”
Mom and I broke down. She hugged me as tightly as she could and whispered into my ear, “I love you son, and I’m very proud of you. I’m going to miss you very much.”
The season was ending the last weekend of September when I received a call that Mom was not expected to make it through the weekend. That Sunday afternoon, the last out of the season was recorded, and on Monday morning she passed away with me at her bedside. It was as if she knew the season was complete, and that it was all right to let go.
1. Who hit the home – run?
John Morris hit the home run.
2. What were the sweetest words uttered by Kalas?
The sweetest words uttered by Kalas were: John’s mom has been quite ill for some time and this one was probably for his mom.
3. Explain: ‘It was as if she knew the season was complete.’
It was as if she knew that the game of the baseball as well as her life had come to a successful end.
4. Do as directed:
a. This one was probably for his mom. (Rewrite as a negative sentence without changing the meaning)
This one was probably for nobody but his mom.
b. Mom and I broke down. (Add a question tag)
Mom and I broke down, didn’t we?
5. Create a word register of the four words, specially related to the game mentioned in the above passage.
Home run, pitcher, season, ball, bat.
6. What do you think was the greatest moment of joy and pride for the narrator’s mother? Why?
The greatest moment of joy and pride was when John Morris won the game. His mother felt proud because despite her illness, he was able to concentrate on the game and emerge victorious. Also they complemented each other in terms of support and encouragement.