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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 the pangolin represent to some cultures?

2. What type of consequences does Douglas state cannot be reversed?

3. What do the Dinka people try to control more than other cultures, according to Douglas?

4. What does Douglas describe purification allows for avoiding?

5. Douglas states that pollution only involves situations that have which kind of structures?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does sexual purity relate to women who are low in caste?

2. Describe the structure of witchcraft that Douglas explains.

3. Describe the Israeli rejection of dirt. How is it destructive and creative at the same time, in Douglas' view?

4. What is a moral situation? Can we define a moral? Why or why not?

5. Describe the structure of the Lugbara.

6. How is food preparation related to pollution?

7. Describe Walbiri culture and beliefs.

8. How do Vann Gennep's conclusions relate to the Maoris people?

9. How is infidelity handled in a Nuer society?

10. Describe Mae Enga culture and beliefs.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze hygiene and how it compares to rituals as described in the reading. What is the significance of ritual in hygiene? Can you be hygienic without ritual? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

What do you need to study to understand purity, according to Douglas? What is purity? What is contagion? What is pollution? How are these concepts related?

Essay Topic 3

How do some societies attempt to control danger, according to Douglas? Are they successful? Why or why not? What are the benefits to controlling power? Are there any downsides? How are marginal states related to danger? Can marginal states be controlled? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 709 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample