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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. What does Wooden say his father read to the family regularly?

2. Wooden has several brothers. What profession do they all choose?

3. What family member does Wooden talk the most about during Part 1 of "Wooden"?

4. What organization does Wooden support?

5. Wooden seems to have a lot of respect for whom?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Wooden want his players to want to please him rather than wanting them to be afraid of disappointing him?

2. What does Wooden believe can happen if a person focuses too much on success?

3. For Wooden, "success" isn't defined by money or fame. How is it described?

4. Why does Wooden make his team members have the same hair cut and uniform?

5. For Wooden, personal glory comes second to what?

6. Why does Wooden call himself a "realistic optimist"?

7. How does Wooden compare the Special Olympics to the regular Olympics?

8. Describe how Wooden feels about the concept of "role models"?

9. Describe Wooden's philosophy of "perfection."

10. Why does Wooden believe that hopes and dreams are not enough to succeed?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Given what you know about Wooden's character, what would he think about the following types of people? (Be as specific as possible, citing places in the text where Wooden discusses these issues.)

1. A basketball player who is naturally talented but doesn't give 100% versus a basketball player who is average but who always gives his/her all.

2. A teacher who demands that all students get "A" grades "or else" versus a teacher who allows students to get away without working at all and just gives them good grades.

3. A parent who is very lenient with his/her child versus a parent who is very strict with his/her child.

Essay Topic 2

At the beginning of the book, Wooden flashes back to his childhood and early years. What purpose does this type of flashback serve in terms of the rest of his book (e.g. how it supports his pyramid of success, how it sets the stage for his coaching techniques, etc.)?

Essay Topic 3

"Wooden" is autobiographical as well as instructive. Explain three places in "Wooden" that are autobiographical in nature, then explain three places in "Wooden" that are instructive (i.e., that impart information to the reader).

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