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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 does the pangolin represent to some cultures?

2. In the Hebrew religion, what could only be touched through sacrifice?

3. In what society described are elders with powers able to control juniors but not for personal gain?

4. Which of these is not a pollution that Douglas distinguishes?

5. What do moral offenses truly depend on, according to Douglas?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is dirt related to madness in the cultures described in the reading?

2. Describe Bemba culture and beliefs.

3. How is food preparation related to pollution?

4. Describe the Nuer beliefs and actions.

5. How does sexual purity relate to women who are low in caste?

6. Describe Lele culture and beliefs.

7. How do internal and external boundaries, described by Douglas, relate to the human body?

8. How is infidelity handled in a Nuer society?

9. Describe the social structure of the Walbiri.

10. How does Douglas state that danger can be controlled?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe Douglas' social structures. What is the significance of a formal power structure? What happens with a system lacks a power structure? Are there any benefits to these systems? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Assess rituals in primitive culture. How would Douglas answer these questions and why: Are rituals rooted in magic? Why do you think this is so? Are anti-ritual views accurate?

Essay Topic 3

What is the difference between holiness and blessing as Douglas defines them? How are both related to these concepts: morality, purity, pollution, classification, organization, separation?

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