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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. In which month of the year did Neville Chamberlain first travel to Germany?

2. In what year was Aspillaga posted to a location in Eastern Europe?

3. What is the first name of Markopoulos, the quant who first warned the SEC about Madoff's shady dealings?

4. The Spanish misunderstood Montezuma's speech to contain what element?

5. How many people died when Hermanos al Rescate planes were shot down over the Florida straits?

Short Essay Questions

1. Around what singular incident does Gladwell see the whole book revolving, as described in the introduction, "Step Out of the Car"?

2. What fact does Gladwell find odd about Adolf Hitler, as described in Chapter 2: "Getting to Know der Fuhrer"?

3. What is significant about the year 1519, as it is described in the introduction to the text?

4. To what location was General Aspillaga posted and how did it change his outlook?

5. Which political figure traveled to Germany to meet Hitler in 1938 and why?

6. In what year was the first complaint made against Jerry Sandusky and when was he arrested?

7. Describe the structure of the trivia test used by Levine.

8. What claim did Hitler make that was wholly believed by his visitor, as described in Chapter 2: "Getting to Know der Fuhrer"?

9. Who is Harry Markopoulos?

10. In what way does Gladwell portray miscommunication as dangerous in Chapter 2: "Getting to Know der Fuhrer"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What ultimate message is Gladwell sending about the nature and value of compassion?

Essay Topic 2

How does Gladwell’s use of the first and second person point of view serve the purposes of the text? Discuss how Gladwell’s choice of point of view helps to advance the treatment of at least three particular themes within the text.

Essay Topic 3

Read a lengthy interview with Gladwell. Write an essay explaining the connection between several of Gladwell’s answers and a major theme presented within the text of Talking to Strangers.

(see the answer keys)

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