Reading
The Gymnast
El gimnasta
by Gary Soto
Overview
| Genre | Autobiography |
| Vocabulary Strategy | Word Structure |
| Comprehension Skill | Draw Conclusions |
| Comprehension Strategy | Visualize |
Vocabulary
| bluish (adj.) | somewhat blue; somewhat like the color of the clear sky in daylight |
| cartwheels (n.) | sideways handsprings with the legs and arms kept straight |
| gymnastics (n.) | a sport in which very difficult exercises are performed |
| hesitation (n.) | act of failing to act promptly; doubt; indecision |
| limelight (n.) | center or public attention and interest |
| skidded (v.) | slipped or slid sideways while moving |
| somersault (v.) | to run or jump, turning the heels over the head |
| throbbing (v.) | beating rapidly or strongly |
| wincing (v.) | drawing back suddenly; flinching slightly |
More Words to Know
| backflips (n.) | backwards somersaults performed in the air |
| solitary (adj.) | without companions |
| spindly (adj.) | very long and slender |
Summary (English)
Gary’s cousin, Issac, was a gymnast. Gary was jealous of his cousin. He liked his cousin’s special shoes. Gary also liked the tape around his cousin’s wrists. Gary wanted to do cartwheels and back flips like his cousin.
Gary’s cousin let him try on the special shoes and the tape. The shoes came off when Gary tried to do a cartwheel. Gary went home. The next day he found old slippers and put them on. He practiced doing cartwheels.
Gary got hurt when he tried to do a back flip. He landed on his head. His feet were sore and his neck hurt. Later, Gary tried to do a back flip again. He landed on his neck. Gary rested and thought about his cousin the gymnast.
Summary (Spanish)
Isaac, el primo de Gary, era gimnasta. Gary estaba celoso de su primo. Le gustaban las zapatillas especiales que él usaba. También le gustaba la cinta que se ponía en sus muñecas. Gary quería dar volteretas laterales y saltos mortales como su primo.
El primo de Gary lo dejó probarse las zapatillas especiales y la cinta. Las zapatillas se le salieron cuando trató de dar una voltereta lateral. Gary se fue a su casa. Al día siguiente se encontró unas zapatillas viejas y se las puso. Practicó las volteretas laterales.
Gary se lastimó cuando trató de hacer un salto mortal. Cayó de cabeza. Tenía los pies adoloridos y le dolía el cuello. Más tarde, Gary trató nuevamente de dar un salto mortal. Cayó y se torció el cuello. Gary descansó y pensó en su primo gimnasta.