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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. According to Burke, what is the mechanical reason darkness is terrible?
(a) The body's processes slow down.
(b) The brain's ability to think is much reduced.
(c) The skin becomes less sensitive and reduces feeling.
(d) The eye's compensation for darkness causes pain.

2. According to Burke, who is most capable of beauty?
(a) The female sex.
(b) Rustic peasants.
(c) The male sex.
(d) Elegant aristocrats.

3. How does Burke define "association?"
(a) As a somewhat friendly acquaintance.
(b) As a group of words that defines another group of words.
(c) As a specific group of businessmen.
(d) As a set of memories worn into the mind.

4. What does NOT make certain objects or experiences affect us the way they do?
(a) Any natural power of the thing.
(b) Any associations we form around the thing.
(c) Any learning about the thing.
(d) Any strong memories regarding the thing.

5. Which of the following passions show the same effects as pain?
(a) Lust and desire.
(b) Fear and terror.
(c) Depression and grief.
(d) Joy and delight.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Burke consider darkness to be?

2. What does Burke envision would be the result of fitness trumping beauty in the human species?

3. To what does Burke oppose delicacy and fragility?

4. How, according to Burke, can we be affected by things we as individuals never experienced?

5. Which example does Burke use to support his argument regarding the nature of darkness?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why, according to Burke, are humans readily affected by the passions of others?

2. In his discussion of proportionality among human figures, what censure does Burke lay upon advocates proportion-as-beauty?

3. What two examples does Burke use to illustrate the sublimity of succession in visual objects? Upon which principles does Burke assert these two examples operate?

4. What example does Burke use to demonstrate that perfection is not the cause of beauty?

5. How does the body react physically to emotions of love, per Burke's observations?

6. What, to Burke, is the most affecting type of language in poetry and literature?

7. What is the "real" cause of beauty, according to Burke?

8. What are the physical effects of fear and pain, and what is the difference between fear and pain, as observed by Burke?

9. How does Burke use women as examples to demonstrate some of the aspects of beauty?

10. How does Burke define ugliness, and how does Burke relate ugliness to beauty?

(see the answer keys)

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