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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 did people think of the farmer's decision to punish the bull?

2. When did the miner's strike referenced by Lessing take place?

3. During a riot in Brussels, what shocking act did humans perform on corpses?

4. What does Lessing remember about the group of people in the party she briefly joined in Rhodesia?

5. Lessing referred to the sciences regarding human behavior as what type of science?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Lessing feel that our ability to consider differing viewpoints might save the human race?

2. How did the ruling class in Rhodesia get others to go along with their beliefs?

3. What comments did Lessing make about the length of time the white ruling class was in power in Rhodesia?

4. What was the political climate in Lessing's country when she was growing up?

5. When onlookers recognize that others are lying, Lessing believed they refuse to protest the lies for what purpose?

6. Why did Lessing believe the tendency to buy into vilification was a form of popular lunacy?

7. Why did Lessing suggest that strengthening individuality would lead to a better world in the future?

8. What was Lessing's opinion regarding war as a basis of our mentality?

9. What did Lessing mean when she said that groups will often "vilify their opposition"?

10. What was the purpose of cutting down a tree associated with a traitor? Why did Lessing find it ridiculous?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Lessing believed that, throughout history, a group mentality has prevented people from standing up to thoughts and ideas that caused harm to others. Citing examples from the text, discuss the various moments throughout history where group mentality was dominant over reason. Include the following:

1) Hitler's regime.

2) The witch trials.

3) Religious sects.

Essay Topic 2

Lessing believed that the human race would be stronger and better if it could only learn from its past. Why do humans choose to ignore history, with the effect of repeating lessons that should have already been learned?

1) In what ways do humans have the ability to learn from history?

2) What are some examples in history that humans should learn from?

3) Why do humans often end up repeating mistakes already made in the past?

Essay Topic 3

During the Korean War, U.S. soldiers were brainwashed into confessing crimes they did not commit. This began a government investigation into brainwashing. How might government knowledge of brainwashing affect society?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 744 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample