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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 superlative does Brooks use to describe his story in the introduction?

2. What separates us from animals, according to Brooks in the introduction?

3. What book about Classical culture does Ms. Taylor give to Harold in Chapter 6?

4. At the beginning of the introduction, Brooks assures the reader that his protagonists are not what?

5. How does Brooks describe Harold's intelligence in Chapter 6?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Harold's goal from conception on?

2. According to Brooks in the introduction, why are Harold and Erica so successful?

3. How is Brooks' book different from other social studies?

4. How does Harold's tiger statement in Chapter 4 illustrate a complex human process?

5. Describe Ms. Taylor.

6. How did Brooks come up with the idea of telling a story to illustrate his social critique?

7. What is the Composure Class?

8. Who is Elliot, and how did he become involved with Antonio Damasio?

9. How does Ms. Taylor shape Harold's interest in the classical world?

10. What great skill does Harold have in high school?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In writing "The Social Animal", David Brooks is presenting an alternate view of history and the way societies work. Write an essay about this alternate view of histories driving forces. What, from the text, does Brooks believe drives human connections? How has current social policy ignore this guiding force? What failing institutions does Brooks point out over the process of this book?

Essay Topic 2

The narrative of "The Social Animal" details how two talented, curious individuals achieve great success. Because these are not prodigies, their paths cross many mentors and preternatural talents. Write an essay about three mentors and talents. How does this person interact with Harold and Erica? What information does he or she impart? How does this personal unveil talents in one or both of the protagonists?

Part 1) Ms. Taylor.

Part 2) Raymond.

Part 3) Richard Grace.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay about the prenatal and early childhood relationship between Julia and Harold. How is Julia's life different before and after she becomes pregnant? What is Harold's goal from the moment he develops sentience? How does he break down Julia's personality, and how does he rebuild her? Discuss how this process leads to a reinvented Julia who makes caring for Harold her primary concern?

(see the answer keys)

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