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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does Gladwell say Goliath said that David was coming at him with multiple sticks?
(a) Because Goliath was dizzy from the altitude.
(b) Because David was moving too quickly to be seen in detail.
(c) Because David was carrying several staffs as weapons.
(d) Because he had double vision and saw two of David’s shepherd’s staff.

2. What error does Gladwell say we make about Goliath?
(a) We overestimate his power.
(b) We overstate his vulnerability.
(c) We underestimate his resiliency.
(d) We underestimate his quickness.

3. Why does Gladwell say David Boies applied for law school?
(a) Because he had a friend who encouraged him to apply.
(b) Because he loved research.
(c) Because he did not need a B.A. to get in.
(d) Because he had always been disputatious.

4. What was Vivek Ranadivé’s first principle of coaching?
(a) Not to raise his voice.
(b) To play excellent basketball, win or lose.
(c) To have fun first.
(d) To win at all costs.

5. How many new teachers does Gladwell say American schools hired between 1996 and 2004?
(a) 1,000,000.
(b) 750,000.
(c) 500,000.
(d) 250,000.

6. What does Gladwell say is the benefit of bigger classes?
(a) Less stress on the teacher.
(b) More diversity.
(c) More attention for each student.
(d) More resources for each student.

7. When did the Impressionists go out on their own, and form their own exhibition?
(a) 1865.
(b) 1873.
(c) 1860.
(d) 1882.

8. What kind of brain matter do dyslexics have less of, according to Gladwell?
(a) White matter.
(b) Cerebral cortex.
(c) Amygdala.
(d) Gray matter.

9. What does Gladwell say led to declining enrollment in Shepaug Valley Middle School?
(a) New train lines.
(b) Increasing real estate prices.
(c) Closing factories.
(d) Smaller family size.

10. Where does Gladwell say dyslexic kids are more likely to end up?
(a) Juvenile detention.
(b) High-paying jobs.
(c) Manual labor.
(d) Menial jobs.

11. How many students used to enroll in Shepaug Valley Middle School’s sixth grade, and how many enrolled at the time of publication?
(a) 450; 120.
(b) 500; 100.
(c) 350; 60.
(d) 300; 80.

12. Why dose Gary Cohn say he left school?
(a) He was bored and angry.
(b) He was being abused.
(c) He was failing.
(d) He was being bullied.

13. How many paintings would painters submit to the Salon each year?
(a) Ten to twelve.
(b) Two to three.
(c) One.
(d) Five to six.

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. What does Gladwell say the Cognitive Reflection Test measures?
(a) Dyslexia.
(b) Intuition.
(c) Analytic ability.
(d) Problem solving.

Short Answer Questions

1. How much does Gladwell say per-pupil spending increased in the U.S. from 1996 to 2004?

2. What is the name of the valley in which David and Goliath faced off?

3. Where does Gladwell say dyslexics’ neurons get “lost along the way” (99)?

4. How does Gladwell say Ranadivé’s opponents responded to his strategy?

5. What does Gladwell say caused Goliath’s enormous size?

(see the answer keys)

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