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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. When did Coach Wooden start searching for his own definition of success?

2. In what year did Kareem Abdul-Jabbar announce he would play for UCLA?

3. After Kareem and several other superstars graduated, what did Coach Wooden want his team to become?

4. Regardless of the outcome of a game, it was important to Coach Wooden that his players do what?

5. How many titles did the team win while Kareem was a player?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did Coach Wooden say he never wants his team to do during a game?

2. How does Coach Wooden define success?

3. Why didn't Coach Wooden sell his Pyramid of Success for money?

4. Explain John Wooden's Pyramid of Success.

5. Explain the comparison Coach talked about between players and doves.

6. What did Coach Wooden believe was a great motivator and how did he use this to help his team?

7. How did Coach Wooden's religion influence his coaching?

8. According to Coach Wooden, what type of player was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar?

9. In Chapter 17, Coach Wooden says, "failure is not fatal, but failure to change might be." Explain what he means by this.

10. Why didn't Coach Wooden ask his players to give 110%?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Coach Wooden discusses talent, fame, and conceit. He describes how each one of these can be a part of a player's life.

Part 1) Write about talent. Where does it come from? What is the responsibility of someone with their talent?

Part 2) Write about fame. Where does it come from? What types of things do famous people deal with?

Part 3) Write about conceit. What causes conceit? How can it damage a person? How can conceit be controlled or changed?

Essay Topic 2

Coach Wooden says that his wife Nellie is one of his biggest inspirations. Use specific examples from the book to write about what why Coach and Nellie have a strong marriage. Describe specific instances when Nellie offered Coach inspiration.

Essay Topic 3

Coach Wooden develops what he calls "John Wooden's Pyramid of Success." Complete the following.

1) Write about the levels of John Wooden's Pyramid of Success and how they can be applied to someone's life.

2) Write about each level and include one example from Coach's life where he applied the level.

(see the answer keys)

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