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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Gladwell say makes parenting more difficult for wealthier parents?
(a) Having to compete for greater income gains.
(b) Having to explain decisions.
(c) Having to keep up with other rich families.
(d) Having to navigate new decisions.

2. Where does David’s stone hit Goliath?
(a) Forehead.
(b) Nose.
(c) Heart.
(d) Jaw.

3. Where is Shepaug Valley Middle School?
(a) Connecticut.
(b) Illinois.
(c) New York.
(d) California.

4. Where does Gladwell say local slingers played a decisive role against an invading army?
(a) Thermopylae against the Persians.
(b) Rubicon against the Gauls.
(c) Sicily against the Greeks.
(d) Actium against the Egyptians.

5. How does Gladwell characterize “disagreeableness” (118)?
(a) The refusal to see downsides to decisions.
(b) The refusal to care what others think.
(c) The inability to hear criticism.
(d) The failure to involve other people in decisions.

6. Who was most likely to be in Harvard’s “happy bottom quarter” (90)?
(a) Engineers.
(b) Musicians.
(c) Athletes.
(d) Scientists.

7. Which of the Impressionist does Gladwell say would sit moodily in the corner of Café Guerbois?
(a) Cézanne.
(b) Pisarro.
(c) Monet.
(d) Degas.

8. What is the name of the valley in which David and Goliath faced off?
(a) Elah.
(b) Judaean.
(c) Shephelah.
(d) Aijalon.

9. How many men does Gladwell say T. E. Lawrence’s force captured?
(a) 1,200.
(b) 12,000.
(c) 6,000.
(d) 8,000.

10. What percentage of wars were won by weaker countries, according to Ivan Arreguin-Toft?
(a) A fifth.
(b) A quarter.
(c) A third.
(d) A half.

11. Why does Gladwell say Goliath wanted David to come to him?
(a) Because he could not see him.
(b) Because he wanted to be within range of his archers.
(c) Because he did not want to leave his lines.
(d) Because he could not carry his weapons to David.

12. How does “relative deprivation” explain the greater sense of dissatisfaction in the Air Force than in the Military Police, according to Sam Stouffer’s study (78)?
(a) If promotions are rare, people who do not get promoted still feel depressed.
(b) If promotions are easy, people who do not get them feel worse than if they are rare.
(c) If promotions are rare, people who get them still feel deprived.
(d) If promotions are commonplace, people who get them are not excited about it.

13. Who does Gladwell say served as the “moral compass” of the Impressionists (64)?
(a) Renoir.
(b) Degas.
(c) Manet.
(d) Pisarro.

14. Why does Gladwell say that it is preferable to study science at a less competitive school?
(a) Because you are statistically less likely to fail out.
(b) Because you have a better chance of getting individual attention.
(c) Because you have a better chance of distinguishing yourself, and therefore of getting a job.
(d) Because you are more likely to make good connections.

15. How much does Gladwell say per-pupil spending increased in the U.S. from 1996 to 2004?
(a) 53%.
(b) 21%.
(c) 38%.
(d) 61%.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Gladwell say Boies made a good lawyer?

2. What percentage of wars were won by weaker countries, when the weaker countries use guerilla tactics, according to Ivan Arreguin-Toft?

3. How did Brian Grazer turn his dyslexia into an advantage?

4. What did the best paintings get at the Paris Salon?

5. What does Gladwell say Ranadivé’s players supplanted ability with?

(see the answer keys)

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