Chapter 1 Questions

1. Explain the meaning of the passage from Matthew 25:29.
The passage from Matthew 25:29 means that people that have things will continue to get things and those that do not have anything will have things taken away from them.
2. How is Canadian hockey a meritocracy? In what ways does Gladwell show his skepticism regarding the idea?
Canadian hockey is a meritocracy because most boys begin to play hockey before they are even in kindergarten and then the talented ones are separated out and go on to the next level which continues to happen until they are teens which is when the best of the best go into the top of the chain which is Major Junior A. Gladwell shows his skepticism of this idea by first claiming that success in hockey is based on individual merit and then saying well maybe not. He then goes onto say that maybe talent is the only deciding factor of success by showing that the successful hockey players mostly have birthdays in January, February, and March. He also talks about the cut off date being really important to the success of players.
3. Which stories sound the most interesting to you (Gladwell outlines many of his chapters on the bottom of page 17 and the top of page 18)?
The stories about business tycoons, pilots, and Asians being good at math interest me.
4. What does Gladwell say is the stereotypical story of the rise to the top? What examples does he cite?
Gladwell say the stereotypical story of the rise to the top is the person was born into modest circumstances, and his own talent allows him to reach the top. He cites Joseph from the Bible, Jeb Bush, and Benjamin Franklin.
5. What is Gladwell’s counterpoint to the stereotypical explanation and origins of success?
Gladwell's counterpoint to the stereotypical explanation and origins of success is that success is not solely due to individual merit but also cultural legacy, patronage, parentage, hidden advantages and special opportunities.
6. How does his analogy of “the tallest oak” apply?
His analogy of the tallest oak applies to his counterpoint because the analogy says that the tallest oak didn't become the tallest oak just because it was from a hardy acorn. The tree's sunlight wasn't blocked by other trees, it had deep and rich soil, no rabbits tried to eat it, and no lumber jack cut it down. The opportunities Gladwell referred to in this case are those things.
7. According to Gladwell, how is a 13 or 14 year old Canadian really better?
A 13 or 14 year old Canadian hockey player is really better because of the fact that the cut off date for hockey in Canada is January 1st meaning that people born in January will have advantages over people born later in the year even though they will be on the same team with them.  At 9 or 10 rep squads are chosen more than likely based on the size and coordination of the players. When these bigger players who are older get chosen for the rep squad they get more practice and better coaches which makes them better.
8. Read the footnote at the bottom of page 25. Define, in your own words, the term “self- fulfilling prophecy.”
A self-fulfilling prophecy is a prediction that comes true due to something that you did to make it come true.
9. How does Gladwell apply his theory to education?
Gladwell applies his theory to education by talking about a test called the TIMSS which showed that among fourth graders the older ones scored 4 to 12 percentile points better than the younger ones.
10. What solutions does Gladwell propose (33)? Why does he say we don’t pursue these? 
Gladwell proposes that students be separated into classes based on their birth months. He says that we don't pursue these because we are to stuck on the idea that success is due to individual merit.