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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. Experiments in mental hospitals have shown sane people mistaken for _______________.

2. According to researchers, those who resist indoctrination the most are the ones very capable in what area?

3. With brainwashing techniques, soldiers can be made to feel ________ about killing.

4. Lessing believed that anyone studying sects was susceptible to ______________.

5. In what countries did Lessing see bloody revolutions?

Short Essay Questions

1. Lessing stated that people in democratic societies are often fooling themselves on their level of freedom. Why?

2. Why did Lessing publish books under a pseudonym?

3. What is the value of brainwashing to a government?

4. What is the price an individual might pay if he resists the group mentality?

5. What was the literary community's reaction to Lessing's pseudonym experiment?

6. What types of organizations have studied or used brainwashing?

7. Why would a government or sect of any sort want to control its subjects through brainwashing?

8. What type of ideas can be put into a subject's mind during the brainwashing process?

9. Why do people fall victim to "inner censorship"?

10. Why was Lessing opposed to mass emotion?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Lessing believed that the word "blood" is a powerful one when it comes to inciting emotion.

1) Why did she find the word "blood" significant?

2) What are some examples she gives to support this theory?

3) What are the implications regarding human nature and violence?

Essay Topic 2

Lessing believed that the human race would be stronger and better if it could only learn from its past. Why do humans choose to ignore history, with the effect of repeating lessons that should have already been learned?

1) In what ways do humans have the ability to learn from history?

2) What are some examples in history that humans should learn from?

3) Why do humans often end up repeating mistakes already made in the past?

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 603 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample