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

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Lessing believe that humans know?

2. According to Lessing, people crave__________.

3. What was the label put on anyone in Rhodesia who disagreed with the ruling class?

4. What was an unquestionable belief held by the political party Lessing joined in Rhodesia?

5. Growing up, Lessing was briefly a member of what party?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Lessing feel that our ability to consider differing viewpoints might save the human race?

2. In the anecdote about killing the bull, what did Lessing suggest that the farmer's revenge actions on the bull demonstrated?

3. Why does Lessing consider the age of Arthastra to be significant?

4. According to Lessing, how is the group mentality different from individual mentality?

5. What was Lessing's opinion regarding war as a basis of our mentality?

6. Why was Lessing discouraged by the application of behavioral data uncovered through the "soft sciences"?

7. When onlookers recognize that others are lying, Lessing believed they refuse to protest the lies for what purpose?

8. Why did Lessing join a communist group in Rhodesia?

9. In terms of collective beliefs during her life time, what idiocy struck Lessing?

10. Why was Lessing not surprised by the story of the attack on the British miner who was beaten by his friends?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

During the Korean War, U.S. soldiers were brainwashed into confessing crimes they did not commit. This began a government investigation into brainwashing. How might government knowledge of brainwashing affect society?

Essay Topic 2

When examining the miner's strike, Lessing noted that onlookers knew both sides of the debate were lying about the issues, yet people took sides in spite of the lack of accurate information.

1) What type of information should people use to come to conclusions?

2) What type of information do people typically use to come to conclusions?

3) What does Lessing say about the tendency of people to come to conclusions in spite of a lack of information?

Essay Topic 3

Brainwashing is an unpleasant idea for those who believe they are susceptible.

1) According to Lessing, who feels susceptible to brainwashing?

2) What is the process of brainwashing?

3) Who is susceptible to brainwashing?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 696 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample