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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What example of a people is given to demonstration insulation from wrong practices, according to Douglas?
(a) Americans.
(b) Russians.
(c) Israelites.
(d) Sumerians.

2. According to Frazer, what did magic lead to?
(a) Sacrifice.
(b) Inability to distinguish between associations and reality.
(c) The best way to live.
(d) Inability to believe in a religion.

3. Which of the following transmits disease and has a toxic influence, according to Douglas?
(a) Food.
(b) Aluminum.
(c) Hair.
(d) Flesh.

4. Which of the following serves as Douglas' distinction between primitive and modern culture?
(a) Religion.
(b) Observing taboo.
(c) Social pollution.
(d) Cosmic pollution.

5. According to Chapter 1, what do contemporary practices divide?
(a) Dirty and clean.
(b) Safe and unsafe.
(c) Pure and Disgusting.
(d) Knowledgeable and ignorant.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which of the following is specifically a result of men-centered religions in Douglas' view?

2. For Douglas, what does winning require?

3. Which group of people have practices to prevent and cure malaria?

4. Which of the following does Douglas describe as moving against nature?

5. Which of the following do Douglas' assumptions not allow for?

Short Essay Questions

1. Which cultures does Douglas describe as avoiding pollution and why?

2. What was Smith's perception of magic?

3. Describe economic reality in relation to primitive and modern cultures, according to Douglas.

4. What does Douglas believe has led to the belief that primitive cultures are inferior?

5. What conclusions did Malinowski come to when he studied primitive cultures?

6. Describe purification as it relates to Sumerian civilization.

7. What does Douglas believe you need to understand to study purity?

8. Why is sequentiality vital to the rituals that Douglas describes?

9. What is the anti-ritual prejudice that Douglas describes?

10. In Douglas' book, what is the difference between holiness and blessing?

(see the answer keys)

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