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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. When is Joe Flom born?

2. Why does the pilot have difficulty seeing the runway?

3. Why do Flom and his colleagues take on proxy wars?

4. What is the second lesson of Joe Flom?

5. What is Joe Flom's occupation?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why is Flom willing to work proxy wars?

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

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

5. How does PDI explain the crash of the Colombian airliner?

6. What is Gladwell's general premise about the connection between growing rice and the success of Asian peoples?

7. How do Korean Airlines change their bad record of crashes?

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

9. What is KIPP and who are its students?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The suggestion Gladwell takes from these numbers is that while efforts are being made to reduce class size and improve school facilities, the facts point to a simpler solution for children who are falling behind in school. They need more of it.

This is part of the philosophy behind the KIPP Academy. Students are at school until 5 o'clock in the evening. They attend class on Saturdays, and go for an extra three weeks in the summer. They spend on average fifty percent more time in class than students in the regular schools.

1. Discuss, in depth, why educators believe smaller class size would help students. Use examples from Outliers to support your answer.

2. Explain why you would or would not be willing to attend KIPP. Use examples from Outliers to support your answer.

3. Do you think education is the most important part of a child's life or do you think it is secondary to other areas? Why or why not? Use examples from Outliers to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Kentucky is settled by people who come from a "culture of honor." Back in Britain, they are herdsmen and herding cultures worldwide have commonly developed such a culture, Gladwell explains. In a culture of honor, loyalty to one's family or clan is the most important thing. People from this background are driven to defend their families and are quick to respond to any perceived threat.

1. Discuss what a culture of honor is in your own words. Use examples from Outliers to support your answer.

2. Do you think honor can be a good value if used properly? Why or why not? Use examples from Outliers to support your answer.

3. What do you think are the dangers in too much loyalty to one's family or a over blown sense of honor? Use examples from Outliers to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Gladwell cites the results of a study by a math professor named Alan Schoenfeld who looks at the way people learn math. Schoenfeld discovers that it takes time for most students to grasp a mathematical concept. Many western students simply give up on difficult math problems or concepts rather than take the time to fully grasp the concept. Students who are willing and able to put in more work are going to gain a more meaningful and deep grasp of math.

1. Do you agree with Alan Schoenfeld's assessment of Asians and math, that they spent more time learning it or do you think they just have brains that work better in a mathematical manner? Why or why not? Use examples from Outliers to support your answer.

2. Do you think children in America should attend school more hours and have more homework? Why or why not? Use examples from Outliers to support your answer.

3. Give an example of a skill you wish to learn that you would be willing to spend a great deal of time on and discuss a plan of how you would improve your skill. Use examples from Outliers to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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