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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who settles Harlan?

2. Of what heritage is Joe Flom?

3. Where does it crash?

4. What does the ground have to be like for a successful rice paddy?

5. Where is the school that Gladwell focuses on in "Marita's Bargan"?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why doesn't Joe Flom work for a large, prestigious law group when he graduates from law school?

2. What evidence is there that summer vacations may be hindering the success of many students?

3. What are proxy wars?

4. How does Harlan gain notoriety in its early days?

5. How do the students at KIPP Academy differ from those of other public schools?

6. How does the crash of Flight 801 fit a pattern for Korean Airlines?

7. What is KIPP and who are its students?

8. What is the second part of the experiment and the final result?

9. What does Suren Ratwatte say about a Colombian airliner that crashes in New York?

10. What is entailed in growing rice?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are a number of interesting questions raised by Outliers. Questions that Gladwell most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Gladwell' agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Gladwell' probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of Gladwell and see if/where his life may have influenced his writing.

Essay Topic 2

Chapter 5 is called "The Three Lessons of Joe Flom." Joe Flom is a partner in a very successful New York law firm.

1. Discuss, in depth, the three lessons of Joe Flom. Use examples from Outliers to support your answer.

2. How do you think the lessons of Joe Flom might relate to the idea of fate or destiny? Use examples from Outliers to support your answer.

3. Do you think Joe's success, in his circumstances, was because he was Jewish or do you think any discriminated against minority might have fared the same? Why or why not? Use examples from Outliers to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Gladwell in writing about Joe Flom cites anti-Semitism as part of the reason for Joe's success. Discuss one of the following:

1. Define anti-Semitism and give examples of it from both Outliers and other sources.

2. Do you think anti-Semitism still exists in the United States? Explain.

3. Discuss the ways in which racism influenced Malcolm Gladwell's family. Use examples from Outliers to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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