View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What refers to a process where people who live in proximity to each other come together into an organization that acts in their shared self-interest?

2. In what year was Al Sharpton a candidate for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. presidential election?

3. In Chapter 26: Feminism, Mamet claims that the weakening of what will eventually destroy the family which is essential for a successful society?

4. When was Sarah Palin elected Governor of Alaska?

5. What book by Sarah Palin has sold more than two million copies?

Short Essay Questions

1. What led to the diminishing of conservative Judaism in Mamet's family, as described in Chapter 27: The Ashkenazis?

2. What does Mamet claim about war, diplomacy and choice in Chapter 36: Bumper Stickers?

3. What importance does Mamet lay on the foundation of family in Chapter 29: The Family?

4. How does Mamet relate the benefits of working on a movie set in Chapter 38: Who Does One Think He Is?

5. What does Mamet write about his own military experience in Chapter 37: Late Revelations?

6. How does Mamet describe the internal sources of America's destruction in Chapter 22: My Father, Al Sharpton, and the Designated Criminal? What external sources does he describe?

7. How has opinion changed regarding the Jewish people, according to Mamet in Chapter 28: Some Personal History?

8. How did David Mamet's political beliefs evolve throughout his life?

9. How does Mamet define greed and ambition in Chapter 23: Greed?

10. How does Mamet relate demagoguery to the Obama campaign in Chapter 33: Self-Evident Truth?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the history of commerce in Communist and non-Communist nations discussed in Chapter 14: R100. What does the metaphor of Nevil Shute do to support Mamet's case?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Mamet's views on feminism. What critics have accused Mamet of misogyny? Were they justified? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and discuss the book "White Guilt" by Shelby Steele. What political and social viewpoints does the book present? How did it influence Mamet?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 884 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample