The More You Know, the Smarter You Are?
Jim Vega
Complete the following items after you finish your first read. Circle the correct answer or write in
DIRECTIONS:
complete sentences.
1. Which sentence best describes Howard Gardner’s ideas about human intelligence in “The More You Know, the
Smarter You Are?”
a. Being well-educated is the most important factor in human intelligence.
b. Life experience is the most important part of determining human intelligence.
c. Intelligence Quotient (IQ) tests are the best way to determine human intelligence.
d. Language and math abilities are not the only areas that contribute to human intelligence.
2. Which of the following best describes “street smarts” in “The More You Know, the Smarter You Are?”
a. learning from our own experiences and applying that learning to future situations
b. learning that occurs when we are trying to reach a goal or complete a task
c. learning about our weaknesses and strengths and how to deal with them
d. learning that everything changes over time, and again and again
3. What type of intelligence does the essay say is a combination of intuition, life experience, a deep understanding
of people, and knowledge of what is most important in life?
4. The following question has two parts. Answer Part A first, and then Part B.
Part A Read this passage from “The More You Know, the Smarter You Are?”
“One story to illustrate this comes from history, when Thomas Jefferson was designing the University of Virginia, and
the architects were designing the layouts of the walkways. Jefferson’s solution was to plant grass and wait to see where
the grass was most worn down so that they would build the walkways where people naturally wanted to walk.”
What does the context of this passage suggest is the most likely meaning of the underlined word layouts?
a. the way things are arranged
b. the tools needed to build
c. the materials for building
d. the parts of the plan
Part B Which excerpt from “The More You Know, the Smarter You Are?” best supports the answer to Part A?
a. One story to illustrate this comes from history ...
b. … Thomas Jefferson was designing the University of Virginia …
c. … solution was to plant grass …
d. … build the walkways where people naturally wanted to walk.
Close Read Questions - The More You Know, the Smarter You Are?
DIRECTIONS: Respond to these questions in complete sentences or by circling the correct answer. Use textual evidence
to support your responses.
1. The following question has two parts. Answer Part A first, and then Part B.
Part A: What is the author’s main purpose in writing “The More You Know, the Smarter You Are?”
a. to make the reader aware that there are many areas of human intelligence
b. to provide the reader with examples of ways to increase human intelligence
c. to help the reader understand why being well educated is key to being intelligent
d. to explain to the reader the problems with Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences theory
2. Which excerpt from “The More You Know, The Smarter You Are?” best summarizes the author’s point of view
regarding human intelligence?
a. For example, some people might be able to recite a lot of facts and figures but not be able to
use what they know to solve problems.
b. If we learn from our own experiences and mistakes and apply that learning to future situations,
then we are showing street smarts.
c. Apart from book learning and critical thinking, there is wisdom, which seems to be something
earned over a lifetime ...
d. … the best course of action is to identify strengths, stretch weaknesses, and make the most of
the smarts we have by building on them in as many ways as possible.
3. Analyze According to the essay, what is the difference between being “well educated” and being “intelligent”?
4. (a) What examples does the author provide to explain “street smarts”? (b) Draw Conclusions Why do you
think that “street smarts” is not listed as one of the multiple intelligences?
5. Apply Reread the last paragraph of the essay. Propose another way that an individual could use his or her
strengths to “stretch” his or her weaknesses.
6. Complete your evidence log for this text.
