Student Name:
Date:
ELA Grade 7
Reading for Information (RI)
Student Quizlet
Frisbee
“The History of Ultimate Frisbee” and
“How to Play Ultimate Frisbee”
August 2015
GR7RI4
DIRECTIONS: Read the passage “The History of Ultimate Frisbee,” and answer the
questions.
The History of Ultimate Frisbee
1 You’ll find it on high school and college athletic fields. You’ll see it in parks and
beaches all over the United States and much of the world. Two teams of seven people,
running as fast as they can in soccer cleats after a plastic flying disc, and hoping to
catch it in a designated end zone. This sport is officially known as “Ultimate,” although
its original name was “Ultimate Frisbee.” This game is played by an estimated 100,000
people in over 50 countries. Where did it come from? Who invented it, and when?
2 The very first flying disc team sports began even
before plastic flying discs were being sold in
stores. As early as 1942 a variation of touch
football was played by students at Amherst College
in Massachusetts. They used pie tins and cake pan
lids instead of balls. This game evolved into
“Frisbee Football” in the 1960s when a company
called Wham-O started selling the first “Frisbees.”
By 1967 the game played at Amherst was a
combination of soccer and basketball as well as
American football. Many of the rules of modern
Ultimate were adopted during this period. For
example, points were given when the disc was
caught in the end zone. Also, players were not
permitted to run with the disc. The disc was
advanced on the field by passing. An incomplete pass meant that the opposing team
got control of the disc.
3 At a summer camp in Massachusetts in 1967, a counselor from Amherst College
named Jared Kass taught the rules of this game to a high school student named Joel
Silver. Silver brought the game back to Columbia High School in Maplewood, New
Jersey. Later he would go on to become an influential Hollywood producer of movies
like Die Hard, Lethal Weapon, and The Matrix. At Columbia, Silver and two other
students wrote the first and second editions of “Rules of Ultimate Frisbee,” giving the
sport its name. Silver chose that name because he believed the game was “the ultimate
sports experience.”
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4 Silver was a member of both the Student Council and the school newspaper staff. In
1968 he proposed that those two student clubs play Ultimate against each other. That
school-sanctioned game took place in a parking lot. The newspaper staff won 11-7.
The social makeup of those two teams was significant because the mainstream
students were not traditional athletes. They didn’t play established team sports. Most
were high achievers academically, and many went on to Ivy League schools – bringing
the game with them. The game did reward athletic ability – there was much running,
jumping, and throwing. But even players who were not in shape physically could enjoy
the game and do quite well at throwing. The sport for “non-jocks” remained a quality of
the teams until its popularity increased in mainstream athletic circles.
5 As the game became more popular, a problem that was developed in those very
early days was the lack of referees. Because the sport was not an official school club,
there were no adults present to referee the games. Instead, the players themselves
would make calls such as fouls, turnovers, and goals. This attitude of self-regulation
was eventually written into the rules of the game as the “Spirit of the Game.” The official
rule book now says “Ultimate relies upon a spirit of sportsmanship which places the
responsibility for fair play on the player. Highly competitive play is encouraged, but
never at the expense of the bond of mutual respect between players.” A player who acts
in a way that is unsportsmanlike, such as using offensive language, could be called for
a “spirit foul.”
6 As the game has grown more popular,
the choice between self-officiating and
using third-party referees has become a
source of controversy. Since 2012,
professional Ultimate leagues have used
referees. Some ultimate enthusiasts think
referees make the game more spectatorfriendly by keeping it moving briskly
instead of mired in debates between
players over calls. Others worry that
having referees encourages cheating as
players try to get away with fouls that they
felt morally responsible to report.
7 High school and college Ultimate teams spread like wildfire during the 1970’s. The
first organized national tournament was played at Yale in 1975. In 1983 the first World
Ultimate Championship was held in Sweden. Then in 2001 Ultimate was included as a
medal sport in the Olympic Games in Japan. At the 2009 World Games in China, the
sport drew 50,000 in paid attendance, more than any other sport. Today there are two
professional Ultimate leagues in the United States. Most professional players still need
day jobs in addition to their Ultimate salaries, but league organizers dream of a day
when their sport rivals football, basketball, and baseball in fans and revenue.
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1. Which quote from the passage suggests the reason why Ultimate Frisbee is selfofficiated?
A.
“…foul calls are made by referees.”
B.
“…sport was not an official school club…”
C.
“…relies upon a spirit of sportsmanship…”
D.
“…competitive play is encouraged…”
2. Which two pieces of evidence best support how Ultimate Frisbee gained popularity
during its early stages?
A.
“But even players who were not in shape physically could enjoy the game.”
B.
“…he would go on to become an influential Hollywood producer…”
C.
“This attitude of self-regulation was eventually written into the rules of the
game as the ‘Spirit of the Game.’”
D.
“…many [players] went on to Ivy League schools – bringing the game with
them…”
E.
“…there were no adults present to officiate the games…”
3. The author describes how the game changed from using self-regulation to referees
in order to:
A.
demonstrate the conflict in Ultimate becoming a mainstream sport.
B.
explain the solutions Ultimate offers in regards to safety.
C.
elaborate the differences between Ultimate and Ultimate Frisbee.
D.
detail the comparisons in the athletic ability of Ultimate players.
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4. What does the word sanctioned mean as it is used in paragraph 4?
A.
Banned
B.
Confirmed
C.
Secured
D.
Authorized
Dictionary Reference 1
Mainstream
Pronunciation: meyn-streem
1. the principal or dominate course
2. cause to join the main force or group
3. belonging to or characteristics of a widely accepted group
4. the ideas or activities that are regarded as normal or
conventional
5. Using Dictionary Reference 1 and details from paragraph 4, which definition best
defines the word mainstream as it is used in the text?
A.
The principal or dominate course
B.
Cause to join the main force or group
C.
Belonging to or characteristics of a widely accepted group
D.
The ideas or activities that are regarded as normal or conventional
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Dictionary Reference 2
Mire
Pronunciation: mahyuh r
1. to entangle
2. a tract or area of wet swampy ground
3. to stick
6. Using Dictionary Reference 2 and details from paragraph 6, which word could
replace the word mired?
A.
Entangled
B.
Tracked
C.
Wetted
D.
Joined
7. Which of the following is given in paragraph 5 as an example of a “spirit foul”?
A.
Physically harming a player.
B.
Goofing around with a player.
C.
Verbally disrespecting a player.
D.
Purposefully ignoring a player.
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DIRECTIONS: Read the passage “How to Play Ultimate Frisbee,” and answer the
questions.
How to Play Ultimate Frisbee
Requirements
 Ultimate is played by two teams, each with seven players.

The only equipment required is a single plastic flying disc. According
to the national organization “USA Ultimate,” the official disc of the
game is the Discraft Ultrastar, which weighs 175 grams (or about 6
ounces).

Most players wear soccer cleats, although some companies have developed
cleats specifically designed for Ultimate.

The regulation field is 120 yards long and 40 yards tall. Each end zone takes up
25 yards of that space.
Objective
The objective of the game is for two teams who begin at opposite end zones to
advance a disc to the other end zone. If the disc is caught in the end zone, a single
point is awarded to that team. The team with the most points wins.
In professional leagues, there are four 10 minute quarters played. In most club league,
college, and high school games, the game ends either at a certain time or when a
certain number of points is reached (often 15).
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Rules
 The game begins when one team “pulls” to the other team (throwing the disc as
far downfield as possible without throwing out of bounds).

Once in play, the disc may be moved only by passing, so the player holding the
disc must stay put (but may pivot on one foot).

If a pass is incomplete, intercepted, or caught out of bounds, the opposing team
immediately gains possession and tries to move the
disc in the other direction.

The player holding the disc, called the thrower, has
10 seconds to throw the disc. A defensive player
within 10 feet of the thrower may loudly count to 10,
at which point the defense immediately gains
possession.

Once a point is scored, the teams swap sides of the
field and the team that scored pulls to the other team.
Fouls
Ultimate is a non-contact sport. Most forms of contact result in fouls. For example:

A throwing foul can be called when there is contact between the thrower and
defender.

A receiving foul can be called when there is contact between two players
attempting to catch the disc.

If a defender knocks the disc out of the thrower’s hands a “strip” can be called.
In professional Ultimate, foul calls are made by referees. In most club, college, and high
school leagues, players call fouls themselves. If the offending player does not call a foul
on himself, the offended player can call one. If the offending player chooses to contest
the foul, the penalty is less severe than if the two players agree that a foul occurred.
This self-regulation is referred to in the rules as the “Spirit of the Game.”
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Throws
There are three basic throws used in Ultimate. Which throw is used often depends on
how the defense chooses to guard the thrower.

Backhand – The most commonly learned throw, and the one used most by nonUltimate players. Curl your arm around the disc and then straighten your arm
releasing the disc in the appropriate direction.

Forehand (Flick) – The second most common throw, sometimes called the
“sidearm.” This is done by holding the disc out to the side and then swinging your
arm forward and whipping your wrist in a motion similar to snapping a towel.

Hammer - The hammer is gripped just like the forehand but the disc is then
brought over head and thrusted. The disc travels sideways and then upside down
as it falls.
Safety
The game requires an open playing field, preferably on a grass or turf surface in a park
or school field without obstacles such as trees, swing sets, jungle gyms, etc. You’ll want
to be able to keep your eyes on the disc without fear of running into an obstacle.
Concrete surfaces and areas with automobile traffic are not safe play areas. The game
can be played on sandy beaches (in fact, there are many Beach Ultimate tournaments
across the country), but the playing area must be swept for glass, shells, and rocks
before play begins. Wet fields should be avoided to prevent slipping, though cleats will
help you stay on your feet in less than ideal conditions. Remember, Ultimate is a noncontact sport and collisions between players can be dangerous. Have fun, but be safe.
Page 9
8. Which two pieces of evidence best describe the reason calling a foul is important
and can contribute to maintaining the spirit of Ultimate Frisbee?
A.
“The game begins when one team “’pulls” to the other team’”
B.
“…the penalty is less severe than if the two players agree that a foul
occurred.”
C.
“Ultimate is a non-contact sport. Most forms of contact result in fouls.”
D.
“In professional Ultimate, foul calls are made by referees.”
E.
“If a defender knocks the disc out of the thrower’s hands a “strip” can be
called.”
9a. Part A
Ultimate Frisbee would be best played in/on a:
A.
wet park.
B.
concrete court.
C.
grassy forest.
D.
turf football field.
9b. Part B
Which piece of evidence best supports your answer to Part A?
A.
“ Ultimate is a non-contact sport…”
B.
“The game requires an open playing field…”
C.
“…the playing area must be swept for glass…”
D.
“…areas with automobile traffic are not safe…”
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10. Proper passing is vital to scoring in Ultimate Frisbee. This is best accomplished by
players who:
A.
pivot away from their defender.
B.
use a basic throw without interception.
C.
score in the opposing team’s end zone.
D.
pull over to the opposite team.
11. As used under the “Rules” section of the directions, the word pivot means to:
A.
turn.
B.
stay.
C.
roll.
D.
skip.
Dictionary Reference 3
Objective
Pronunciation: əbˈjektiv
1. uninfluenced by emotions or showing personal prejudice
2. something worked towards or striven for
3. a thing or group of things existing independently of the mind
12. Using Dictionary Reference 3 and details from the section entitled Objective, which
word could replace the word objective?
A.
Emotions
B.
Strivings
C.
Things
D.
Groups
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13.
“The History of Ultimate Frisbee” and “How to Play Ultimate Frisbee” give the
reader information on the game of Ultimate Frisbee. List one similarity between
the two passages and one difference between each passage’s treatment of fouls.
Both authors say that fouls:
The author of “The History of Ultimate Frisbee” says that fouls:
The author of “How to Play Ultimate Frisbee” says that fouls:
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Grade 7 ELA Blueprint
14.
The authors of “The History of Ultimate Frisbee” and “How to Play Ultimate
Frisbee” both inform the reader. If you had a friend who was interested in playing
Ultimate Frisbee, which article would you recommend. Give two reasons for your
choice of article.
Article:
One reason that I would recommend this article:
A second reason I would recommend this article:
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