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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. According to Wilson, why do children not usually enjoy doing juggling?

2. What operator has to do to anticipate load weight and wind changes?

3. Where does the hand's optimal strength lie when rock climbing?

4. What does the author say comes to life even before you rise out of bed in the morning?

5. What is paleoanthropology?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the connection between marionettes and the human muscle and tendon configuration in the arms and legs?

2. How is the arm different from the leg in how it is attached to the body, and which parts of the upper body corresponds to the "folding crane"?

3. How does the touch of the pianist differ from that of the rock climber?

4. How did Duchenne demonstrate the physiology of movement?

5. What does the addition and transport of weight to the body cause?

6. What has to happen in order for the thumb to be useful?

7. Who is George, and what does Wilson say about him?

8. What terms does John Napier use that mean essentially the same as "prehensile" and "non-prehensile" and what do the terms mean?

9. Who is David and how is he able to succeed at wrestling despite not being very strong?

10. Explain the crane metaphor Wilson uses.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Wilson has cited a number of people in this book. Discuss he following:

1. Choose three people whom Wilson mentions positively and give a brief idea of his opinions about those three people (or stereotypes). Use examples from The Hand to support your answer.

2. Choose three people whom Wilson mentions negatively and give a brief idea of his opinions about those three people (or stereotypes). Use examples from The Hand to support your answer.

3. Judging what Wilson says about different people in his text, how would you characterize him as a friend? As a colleague? Use examples from The Hand to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

The Hand belongs to the non-fiction genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the non-fiction genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between a non-fiction and a novel?

Essay Topic 3

Wilson claims the brain and musculoskeletal systems evolve by changing structure and function over time, the bipedal gait and upper limb changes are characteristic of the hominid line distinct from primates, and the driving force of hominid brain evolution is the brain and society as hominids expand their range beyond the jungle into other habitats.

1. Explain what Wilson means by the brain and musculoskeletal systems changing structure and function. Use examples from the text to support your answer.

2. Discuss, in depth, how the bipedal gait and upper limbs differ between hominids and apes. Use examples from the text to support your answer.

3. Discuss reasons you think expanding the range of habitats made the hominid more intelligent. Use examples from the text to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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