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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 Jensen's father say after he had beat someone?

2. What device does Jensen say determines our view of surrounding circumstances?

3. How many people speak out against violence in disciplining children on the radio talk show that Jensen listens to?

4. What did Jensen do on the Sabbath?

5. According to Jensen, what was the reason for him and his classmates to endure their time in school?

Short Essay Questions

1. What role do the stars play in Jensen's life?

2. In what way is high jumping therapeutic for Jensen?

3. What was Jensen's childhood like?

4. Describe one of the ways in which Jensen says that humans justify their actions even if these actions are cruel or make no sense.

5. What does Jensen say is one of the problems with our current economic system?

6. What is significant about Jensen's dream about the cranes?

7. What happens when Jensen tries to wall off the pain from his foot while jumping?

8. How does Jensen come to be high jumping?

9. How does Jensen's father rationalize the fact that he beats the members of his family?

10. According to Jensen, what is the purpose of silencing?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Jensen's relationship with his father. How did this relationship impact Jensen's life? How did it change when Jensen became and adult?

Essay Topic 2

In the chapter "Insatiability" a Maori asks Jensen about his motivation for working for the indigenous people. What is your opinion of Jensen's motivations? Do you believe they are pure? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Consider the idea that some cultures do not thrive on violence but instead discourage it. Why do these cultures disappear?

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This section contains 700 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample