English II: Outliers Exam Questions

On the test, you will be asked to answer three of the questions below, each in a well-developed paragraph of at least six sentences. Your answer should include specific detail from the text and our class discussions. There will also be a short answer portion of the test.

1. What is the Matthew Effect and how does it affect success?
2. Gladwell argues that even with ability and effort, people must have the opportunity to succeed. What does he mean and how does he show it?
3. Why does Gladwell contrast the lives of Robert Oppenheimer and Chris Langan? What does the contrast show?
4. Gladwell argues there are only two kinds of parents. What are they and how do these styles affect the likelihood of success?
5. Gladwell argues that cultural legacy affects us in ways we don’t understand. Use at least three examples from the text to support this claim.
6. Why, according to Gladwell, is it so difficult master a skill?