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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. What does Gladwell say Goliath’s attendant was acting as?
(a) His visual guide.
(b) His water bearer.
(c) His arms bearer.
(d) His protector.

3. What percentage of wars were won by weaker countries, when the weaker countries use guerilla tactics, according to Ivan Arreguin-Toft?
(a) 44%.
(b) 63%.
(c) 55%.
(d) 29%.

4. According to Gladwell, where did most Salon paintings take their themes from?
(a) Mythology.
(b) Nature.
(c) Live forms.
(d) Emotions.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. How old does Gladwell say Ranadivé was, when he came to the U.S.?

2. What trend does Gladwell say the notion of “relative deprivation” also explains?

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

4. Why does Gladwell say Goliath wanted David to come to him?

5. Why dose Gary Cohn say he left school?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the moral of the parable Gladwell tells about the Impressionist painters?

2. What is Vivek Ranadivé’s qualification to coach basketball?

3. What does Gladwell say is the advantage David has over Goliath?

4. In what way does Gladwell say Ranadivé’s girls are similar to Lawrence of Arabia?

5. What does Gladwell say leads people to adopt David’s strategies?

6. Gladwell seems to want it both ways, valuing poverty and celebrating wealth. Does Gladwell acknowledge or try to resolve this contradiction?

7. How does Gladwell say dyslexia helped prepare David Boies to be a trial lawyer?

8. What are the physiological flaws Gladwell identifies in Goliath’s body type?

9. What is Harvard’s theory of the “happy bottom quarter” (90)?

10. What are the challenges Gladwell’s powerful Hollywood friend experienced, in raising his children?

(see the answer keys)

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