Vocabulary Part 1
Gladwell refers to the actions of Alex Rodriguez and others as "illicit means." Illicit most nearly means...
Illegal or unlawful. He uses this word rather than illegal to suggest the underhanded nature, but refrains from saying "illegal," given its harsher, negative connotations.
If something is used "subcutaneously" it is
injected or put beneath or under the skin.
Who is the speaker and what is the occasion for this work?
Malcolm Gladwell, 2013 New Yorker Magazine article.
It serves to define a term for an audience that may not be familiar with goitre.
What's the paradox of hematocrit? Why does Gladwell mention this?
You need the hematocrit to perform, but when you perform, it is depleted. Why explanations will vary.
Gladwell says that it was important to "redress" the issue of a lack of iodine. In this case, redress most nearly means...
correct or remedy. He is making a comparison regarding natural inequalities based on environment.
In paragraph 26, the word "duplicity" most nearly means
deception; double-dealing; in bad faith.
What is the exigence for "Man and Superman"?
The doping scandal of 2013 was the main event that caused Gladwell to consider this topic and gave rise to his article.
Explain why Gladwell opens his article with the example of Mantyranta.
He serves as an example of a naturally gifted athlete - something he will later contrast with athletes like Hamilton (who was also a skier). He also goes back to Mantyranta in the end, comparing him to Hamilton and Armstrong.
In both cases, Gladwell is emphasizing the immense or rather "extraordinary" and "dramatic" increase in ability with certain changes (outside of genetics).
In paragraph one, Gladwell uses words like "bulbous," "thick fingers," and "broad jaw" to describe Mantyranta in order to
give a vivid image of the remarkable former athlete (cross-country skier).
If something is done "surreptitiously" it is done how? In what context does Gladwell use this term?
It is something done in secret. Gladwell uses this to describe Hamilton and others when they were using EPO.
The overall tone of this piece might be described as
journalistic and investigatory with moments of critical commentary
Explain why Gladwell uses the iodine example.
The details in the quote from The Secret Race in paragraph 25 not only address "glowtime," but also highlight what?
The natural advantage that Lance Armstrong had (his veins like water mains) even when it came to doping.
If something is an "anomaly" it is what? Who does Gladwell describe as an anomaly?
An anomaly is something outside of the norm, an oddity. He describes Mantyranta and his level of oxygen in his blood cells as an anomaly to show just how far from standard he was, emphasizing the idea that this natural advantage may be seen as unfair.
In paragraph 3, the word optimized primarily serves to
suggest an almost mechanical or crafted image of an athlete, as if literally designed or built for what they can do.
Gladwell's audience (think of two) can be described as...
Those who are interested in the culture and philosophical ideas of sports (not simply sports fan). He is also writing with the governing bodies of sports (like cycling and baseball) in mind to more thoroughly consider what rules they make and why.
It could be said that Gladwell's core argument is that instead of merely condemning artificial attempts to excel, we should at least consider that they are rooted in the unfairness of nature. Explain the evidence Gladwell uses to support this.
Answers will vary. Should include the examples of Matyranta (and the data provided) and Donald Thomas on one end of the spectrum (with clearly advanced genetic abilities) and Hamilton and Alex Rodriguez on the other (Hamilton not built like a cyclist and his lower levels of hematocrit)
What is Gladwell's attitude toward Hamilton in paragraphs 19 and 20? Provide two examples.
He seems to sympathize with the "underdog" that is Hamilton. The description of his training and eating disorder also show a sense of sympathy for what he had to go through to have the desired physique of the sport.
Gladwell uses the word "menagerie" on a few occasions. The word most nearly means what, and what are the two main ways in which he uses it (consider tone and connotations)?
a menagerie is a collection of things (often animals to be studied). Gladwell first uses it in a positive context regrading the innate and seemingly magical nature of athletes with genetic abilities. He later uses it with an ironic and distant tone, as in the menagerie is not always praised (like young children having an iodine deficit).
What does the word "disparate" mean and why does Gladwell use it?
Disparate is stronger than simply different. There is often an incongruity. He use this word to emphasize the (often wide) degree of difference when it comes the natural athletic ability.
Gladwell's purpose, his primary reason for this article is...
to show the complexity of the issue and question how lines get drawn and why, questioning the current logic of what is and is not allowed.
Explain what words and phrases help to indicate Gladwell's attitude toward genetics as seemingly unfair.
He talks of genetics as "dumb luck" and describes those with natural advantages as "far ahead of ordinary athletes" as having a "big advantage" and as having "an enormous head start." He also mentions that athletes like Donald Thomas "barely had to train."
What purpose does the last sentence of paragraph 16 serve?
While Gladwell presents a hypothetical thought of Alex Rodriguez's, in effect it is the author wondering about the "moral line" that is drawn. His tone is rather critical, seeing the MLB rule makes as seemingly hypocritical. This sentence also uses the language "modern endocrinology" and "orthopedics" rather the doping and surgery to make them seem on par with one another with the medical, technical jargon.