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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. After Sam quasi-retired, financial analysts ___________.

2. What does Sam think is a trade-off?

3. Sam always encourages competition. What does Sam think of this divisive stance?

4. What does Sam play everywhere he goes?

5. When the company becomes divided, behind whom do the younger guys line up?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Sam say to support his philosophy of thinking small?

2. What happens to the company when Sam retires?

3. What does Sam think about the way he has spent his life? What is the message he gives at the end of the book?

4. What are five rules given by Sam for running a successful company?

5. Describe the annual stockholder meetings.

6. What has been Sam's behavior toward technological advances?

7. How does he give back? Why does he give back in this way?

8. Describe Wal-Mart's run-in with Kmart.

9. What is the "whistle while you work" mentality? How does this benefit the employee and the company?

10. Why does Sam give back to the community?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Sam believes he was over-blessed with ambition and drive.

Part 1) From whom does he claim he received these traits? Is he proud of these traits? Why or why not? How does he use these traits throughout his life?

Part 2) Are these traits necessary for anyone to become a success? Why or why not?

Part 3) What traits do you possess? How do you use them to your advantage?

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

As a child, Sam learns how hard it is to earn a dollar.

Part 1) Describe Sam's childhood. How did Sam learn the difficulties in earning a living?

Part 2) What role did the Great Depression play in Sam's learning of this? How does this idea of hard work affect him throughout his life?

Part 3) Is hard work important in your own life? Why or why not? Do you agree with Sam that it is difficult to earn a living? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,322 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample