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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. Whom does the author name as being on the lowest end of the spectrum in relation to how easy it will be for a person to pick up meditation?

2. What is the name of the professor of Psychology at Pennsylvania State University discussed by the author?

3. To what movie does the first chapter, entitled "Taking the Red Pill," refer?

4. The first time the author attended a week-long meditation retreat, he was allowed to speak how many times?

5. Which character in the movie referred to in the chapter entitled "Take the Red Pill" realizes that his life has actually been an extended hallucination?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the author's view of the phenomenon of human feelings?

2. How does the author use the example of the scar experiment?

3. Discuss the tendency of humans to engage in self-inflation.

4. Discuss the author's use of the anecdote regarding his tense jaw.

5. What is witness consciousness, according to the author?

6. Discuss the significance of the chapter title "Your CEO is MIA."

7. How does the author get across his point about the need for the brain to provide rationale in the form of modules, even in illogical situations?

8. What is the author's analysis of the human fear of public speaking?

9. For what purpose does the author begin the entire narrative with a question?

10. Discuss an example or anecdote used by the author to demonstrate the value of mindfulness mediation.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine Robert Wright's use of characterization methods to portray himself within the narrative. What effects do these characterization methods have on the book's inherent themes and messages?

Essay Topic 2

What ultimate message is Robert Wright's book Buddhism is True sending about the nature and value of compassion?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze the author's messages regarding the influence natural selection has on human behavior in Robert Wright's book Buddhism is True.

(see the answer keys)

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