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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. Mark tries to drive for another team, but wisely does what?

2. Roger Penske has a business meeting with representatives of what company?

3. They use the _______ wing for the final round of qualifying and for the real race.

4. The team uses a little trickery to throw off those who are not on the team. What is this trickery, regarding wings?

5. Mark explains that when they build for long-distance races their primary concern is what?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is practicing for a race different than a race?

2. What is the first important lesson Mark Donohue learns about racing?

3. What trickery does the team use to throw off those who are not on the team?

4. How does Mark Donohue die? What are your thoughts on his death?

5. Why is the track at Indianapolis frustrating for Mark?

6. What is decided between Roger Penske and Chevrolet?

7. What does the writer of the introduction have to say about the author?

8. Who is Dan Gurney? How does a race with Dan affect Mark? Why?

9. Describe Mark's first experiences as a race car driver. What does he learn from this experience?

10. What conflict over value and loyalties takes place in this chapter? How important does loyalty seem to be, based on this example?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Mark is, at first, disappointed and a disappointment in Germany.

Part 1) Why does Mark go to Germany? Describe his initial experience in Germany. Why is it disappointing and even somewhat offensive? What does this reveal about Mark, his team, and the Germans?

Part 2) How does this trip to Germany change over time? What leads to these changes? How does this trip turn from a negative to a positive experience for Mark, the Penske team, and the Germans?

Part 3) Describe a time when you were disappointed. What led to this disappointment? How did you handle this disappointment? What did you learn from this experience?

Essay Topic 2

Mark comes into contact with many other drivers.

Part 1) Name two of these drivers and describe them. How do they compare to Mark, as far as personality and driving record?

Part 2) Describe the relationships between the drivers. How might this compare to the relationships between athletes in other sports?

Part 3) How do other drivers factor into one's abilities on the race track? How does this parallel real life, outside of racing?

Essay Topic 3

Mark dislikes leaving bad feelings between himself and anyone else.

Part 1) Why does he reveal this about himself? What example is given regarding a time when he is not given a chance to work out problems with someone else?

Part 2) Why is this attitude regarding relationships important in racing? Do you see it as being more important in racing than in other fields? Why or why not?

Part 3) How does this foreshadow events to come in Mark's life? What might you learn from this attitude of Mark's regarding others?

(see the answer keys)

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