Jim Thorpe’s Bright Path
By: Joseph Bruchac
Illustrated by: S.D. Nelson
Vocabulary
Daniel has more endurance than anyone I
know.
A. strength to continue
B. natural talent
Answer
A. strength to continue
This highway leads to the reservation.
A. private property that has been sold
B. public land that has been set aside
Answer
B. public land that has been set aside
Thomas goes to boarding school this year.
A. a school where all the children are in
one classroom
B. a school where children live away from
home
Answer
B. a school where children live away from
home
Beth stayed in a dormitory.
A. guest house
B. student house
Answer
B. student house
This is manual labor.
A. done by hand
B. done by a student
Answer
A. done by hand
Society demands that we follow certain
rules.
A. all soldiers
B. all people
Answer
B. all people
Comprehension Questions
Which of the following is an OPINION from
this selection?
A. Charlotte gave Jim a good name.
B. The twins learned how to ride a horse.
Answer
A. Charlotte gave Jim a good name.
As a young boy, how was Jim DIFFERENT
than Charlie?
A. Jim worked harder on the farm.
B. Jim was stronger and faster.
Answer
B. Jim was stronger and faster.
The teachers hit Jim with a ruler whenever
he spoke Sac at school because they
__________.
A. wanted him to speak the language
properly.
B. wanted him to forget about his culture.
Answer
B. wanted him to forget about his culture.
Which of the following is a MAIN idea from
the selection?
A. Jim preferred to do outdoor activities.
B. Jim could run as fast as a rabbit.
Answer
A. Jim preferred to do outdoor activities.
How were the Agency Boarding School
and the Haskell Institute ALIKE?
A. The students were Indians.
B. The teachers spoke Sac.
Answer
A. The students were Indians.
Why did the recruiter from Carlisle lied to
Jim?
A. He thought it would help Jim get over
his mother’s death.
B. He wanted to convince Jim to attend
school there.
Answer
B. He wanted to convince Jim to attend
school there.
Which of the following is a FACT?
A. Jim broke Carlisle’s school record for
high jump.
B. The athletes thought Pop Warner was a
great coach.
Answer
A. Jim broke Carlisle’s school record for high
jump.
Which of the following is an OPINION from
the selection?
A. It was the first time he ever held a real
football.
B. Then he took off down the field like a
deer.
Answer
B. Then he took off down the field like a
deer.
Which of the following is a MAIN idea from
the selection?
A. Jim stood at the end zone as he
handed the ball to Coach Warner.
B. Jim participated in sports to show other
races what Indians could do.
Answer
B. Jim participated in sports to show other
races what Indians could do.
According to the timeline, in what year did
Jim Thorpe win his Olympic medals?
A. 1902
B. 1912
Answer
B. 1912
According to the timeline, which event
occurred in 1929?
A. Jim retired from professional football.
B. Jim formed and all-Indian football team.
Answer
A. Jim retired from professional football.
Group Time
What is the purpose of the timeline?
Answer
It shows important dates in Jim Thorpe’s
life.
Group Time
How might Jim’s life have been
DIFFERENT if he had stayed at home
instead of attending Carlisle?
Answer
He probably would not have become a
professional athlete.
Group Time
Why was the name “Wa-tha-huck” a good
one for him?
Answer
The name meant “Bright Path,” which was
a good name for Jim because he was
successful in sports and became famous.
Test Time 
Good Luck on your test!
I know you will do great!
Do your best and remember to check your
answers!