Answer to Question 1
Students are likely to include the federal description of giftedness in their answers. The areas in which giftedness or extreme competence is identified include intellectual, creative, artistic, leadership, and academic areas.
Federal guidelines suggest that special provisions need to be made (above and beyond what is typically offered in school) in order for persons exhibiting these traits to achieve their highest level of competence in the school setting.
Answer to Question 2
Earliest views of giftedness often regarded it as a personality flaw and genius was just a short step from insanity. Much debate was held over whether giftedness is an innate ability or whether environmental influences made a difference. Early identification of giftedness relied solely upon scores of intelligence tests. Recent research indicates that giftedness is better described in terms of exceptionalities in a particular area and more nearly average performance in other areas. Gardners eight areas of intelligence or Sternbergs triarchic theory could be given as an example.