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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. The one mistake that Helen cannot forgive Sam for _________________.

2. What does Sam admit was the biggest mistake of his business career?

3. No matter how efficient or advanced their distribution center is or how great their technology might be, _______________are the real key to Wal-Mart's success.

4. What would Sam do when he would drop Alice off at a horse show?

5. Don Whitaker comes to the Wal-Mart organization from TG&Y. He is a hard-working and smart man who establishes a great philosophy for the company. What is this philosophy?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is Sam a maverick in the business world?

2. How does Rob help Sam with his debt? What are the results of Sam's fear of being in debt? How do both he and Helen feel about these results?

3. What is known about Sam Walton's childhood? What did he learn during this time about one's ability to make money?

4. With what traits does Sam say is is over-blessed? What does he do with these traits during his adolescence?

5. What does Sam say is the biggest business mistake in his life? What might have led to this?

6. Describe Sam's family.

7. Why does Sam believe that Wal-Mart is successful? Why do other stores fail?

8. Describe, in general, this period of time for Wal-Mart.

9. How does Sam decide where to build a Wal-Mart? Why?

10. How does this book begin? What information does it give about Sam Walton and the purpose of this book?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One of Sam's top talents is choosing employees.

Part 1) How is this proven? Why does this become an important talent?

Part 2) What are his other talents? How are these talents revealed? How are these talents important? How are they connected to each other?

Part 3) What talents do you possess? How do they impact your daily life? How might you use them to your advantage throughout your life?

Essay Topic 2

It is important to think small.

Part 1) What is meant by this? Why is this important? How is this especially important in the case of Wal-Mart?

Part 2) How does this idea reflect and reinforce other beliefs of Sam's?

Part 3) How can thinking small be useful in your own community and your own life?

Essay Topic 3

Sam wants to leave a legacy.

Part 1) What legacy does he seem to want to leave? How do you know this?

Part 2) Does he believe he did the right things with his life? Why or why not? Do you believe he would do anything differently if he had it to do all over again? Why or why not?

Part 3) What legacy would you like to leave? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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