Quiz: Grit by Angela Duckworth

1. According to Angela Duckworth, which two traits make up “grit”?

A) Talent and intelligence
B) Passion and perseverance
C) Discipline and confidence
D) Motivation and charisma

2. In Grit, Duckworth argues that success is most strongly predicted by:

A) Natural talent
B) High IQ
C) Family background
D) Sustained effort over time

3. What does Duckworth mean by the “Grit Score”?

A) A psychological test that measures optimism
B) A measure of how physically resilient someone is
C) A self-assessment that evaluates consistency of interests and perseverance of effort
D) A test of how quickly someone can learn new skills

4. In the book, Duckworth explains that talent is:

A) The single most important factor in achieving success
B) Overrated compared to effort
C) The same thing as skill
D) Impossible to measure

5. Which of the following strategies is emphasized in Grit to help develop grit?

A) Focusing only on short-term goals
B) Avoiding failure at all costs
C) Practicing deliberate and consistent effort
D) Waiting for inspiration to strike before acting

Answer Key & Explanations

1. B) Passion and perseverance
Explanation: Duckworth defines grit as a combination of sustained passion and long-term perseverance. It’s not just about working hard, but doing so over years in pursuit of a meaningful goal.

2. D) Sustained effort over time
Explanation: One of the core arguments in Grit is that long-term effort matters more than innate talent or intelligence when it comes to achieving high levels of success.

3. C) A self-assessment that evaluates consistency of interests and perseverance of effort
Explanation: The Grit Score is a questionnaire developed by Duckworth to quantify grit by measuring how consistent and determined a person is over time.

4. B) Overrated compared to effort
Explanation: Duckworth challenges the “talent myth,” arguing that effort counts twice: effort builds skill, and skill applied with effort produces achievement.

5. C) Practicing deliberate and consistent effort
Explanation: Deliberate practice—focused, goal-directed effort with feedback—is a key strategy Duckworth highlights for building grit and achieving mastery.