Jesse Owens Reading Passage & Comprehension Questions
Jesse Owens 1160L James Cleveland Owens was born on September 12, 1913 in Alabama. The son of a sharecropper, James, nicknamed Jesse by a teacher, would go on to accomplish great things during a time that was difficult for African Americans. At the age of nine, Jesse and his family moved to Cleveland, Ohio. It was there that his athletic career began, with him competing in several track events, such as the high jump, 100 yard dash, and 220 yard dash. By the time Jesse was a senior in high school, he had broken several school and world records in these events. Because of his outstanding athletic performance in high school, Jesse received several scholarship offers from colleges trying to recruit him. Jesse, however, chose to attend the Ohio State University, a school that did not offer a track scholarship at the time. To help pay for the cost of school, Jesse worked several jobs in between his practice and class schedule, all the while also supporting his wife, Ruth. During his time at OSU, Jesse set three world records and tied a fourth! It has been said that setting these world records is one of the greatest accomplishments an athlete has made in history.
With his confidence soaring, Jesse decided to enter the 1936 Olympics, which were held in Nazi Germany. Hitler had hoped to prove that the German race was dominant in all aspects, including athletics. However, Jesse s performance proved him wrong. Not only did Jesse go on to win a gold medal in track and field, but he became the first American track and field athlete to win four gold medals in a single Olympic games. In fact, it wasn t until 1984 when this record was beaten. Jesse s accomplishments had a great impact on Americans. During a time when segregation was prominent in all areas of the United States, Jesse s accomplishments showed that the individual was far more important than one s skin color. After the Olympics, Jesse would go on to share his story and accomplishments with many before passing away in 1980. Jesse was nicknamed the Buckeye Bullet.
1160L Comprehension Questions 1. What was the occupation of Jesse s parents when he was born? 2. How do you think Jesse s childhood was influenced from his parents working as sharecroppers? 3. When did Jesse get involved in track and field? 4. How successful was Jesse in his high school track and field career? 5. Jesse received scholarship offers from several schools, yet chose to attend the Ohio State University. Why do you think this is?
6. How did Jesse afford to attend college? 7. What was Jesse s greatest accomplishment in college? 8. In what year did Jesse enter the Olympics? 9. Jesse accomplished something never done before in the Olympics. What was it? 10. In your opinion, how did Jesse s accomplishment impact Americans?
Answer Key 1160L 1. Jesse s parents were sharecroppers. 2. [To answer this question, students will need to rely on their knowledge of sharecropping from previously taught social studies units]. Jesse grew up very poor, as sharecropping, was not an easy way to support a family. Given the time period that Jesse grew up, one could infer that life as a whole was difficult for him with increasing segregation. 3. After his family moved to Ohio. 4. Jesse was very successful! He broke school and world records in track and field in high school. 5. Answers will vary. Ohio State could have been a dream school for Jesse. 6. He worked several jobs. 7. Breaking three world records and tying a fourth in 45 minutes. 8. 1936 9. Earn four gold medals in one stand of the Olympics. 10. Answers will vary. During a time when African Americans were heavily segregated and the United States as a whole was going through a dark time, Jesse brought hope to the country, as well as to African Americans.
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