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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. What does Korean airlines realize is a large part of their problem?

2. What is the Colombian pilot's attitude when he communicates the plane's situation to the air traffic controller?

3. What neighborhood feeds into KIPP Academy?

4. What did early American educational theorists claim about education?

5. What cultural legacy among Asian peoples does Gladwell discuss?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What is the second lesson of Joe Flom?

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

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

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

7. What is the third lesson of Joe Flom?

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

9. How does understanding math relate to growing rice?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful work of non-fiction?

2. Analyze and discuss Outliers based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if Outliers is a successful work of non-fiction/memoir.

3. Is Outliers a book you would recommend to a friend? Why or why not? Explain.

4. Can a non-fictional book be successful and yet many readers not enjoy it? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 3

Gladwell writes his opinions on education in the public schools as opposed to pilot schools or Asian schools. Discuss one of the following:

1. Discuss and analyze three major ideas Gladwell has about education.

2. How are Gladwell's ideas about education supported by his research? Or not? Discuss with examples.

3. Discuss what a school would be like that uses all of Gladwell's ideas about education. Use examples from Outliers to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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