View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What kind of character does Wooden suggest people should always have?

2. Wooden thinks of himself mainly as a what?

3. What does Wooden want from his father?

4. What does Wooden think of people trying to achieve goals that will or could harm themselves?

5. What Webster's dictionary word definition does Wooden disagree with?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Wooden feel about athletes taking money for endorsements?

2. How does Wooden feel about the players who didn't become famous as opposed to the ones who did become famous?

3. Wooden believes that the media has made winning different. Why?

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

5. Why do Wooden's brothers all become teachers?

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

7. Why does Wooden disagree with the Webster's dictionary term for success?

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

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

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

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

What is the overall theme of the book "Wooden"? (In other words, what theme is the thread that holds the whole piece together?)

Essay Topic 3

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.)?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 675 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample