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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 is the "disease" of the middle age that Feynman is afflicted with?

2. Which scientist helps Feynman work out which way the difference goes in his new theory?

3. Which one of the following does Feynman NOT use as an example of mysticism?

4. What university offers Feynman a staggering salary?

5. What does Feynman decide to do about the money from the lecture at the city college?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Feynman ultimately resign from textbook reviewing?

2. How does Feynman advise students that they can avoid the cargo cult?

3. What does Feynman discover about particle decay theory?

4. Why does Feynman take art lessons from Jiyrayr Zorthian?

5. Why does Feynman's refusal to sign a fourteenth signature create confusion for the college's accounting department?

6. Why does Feynman decide to stay with Caltech during the bidding war between Caltech and Cornell?

7. What does Feynman later learn about offer from University of Chicago?

8. How does Feynman help the cab driver figure out which university to take him to for the conference in North Carolina?

9. What is Feynman's connection to a Pasadena topless bar?

10. Why is Mrs. Smith flustered when Feynman speaks to her in "fake Chinese"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain what is meant by the last line in the book: "So I have just one wish for you--the good luck to be somewhere where you are free to maintain the kind of integrity I have described, and where you do not feel forced by a need to maintain your position in the organization, or financial support, or so on, to lose your integrity. May you have that freedom." What kind of integrity is Feynman referring to? How did he show this integrity throughout his life?

Essay Topic 2

Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman is a collection of colorful anecdotes from the life of this famous physicist. Explain in detail what overall theme emerges from this collection of life stories.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Feynman's fascination with languages and other cultures. What are some of the lessons he takes away from these experiences?

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