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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What practice has been undertaken by almost all religious aspirants, according to the author?
(a) Fasting.
(b) Bodily mortification.
(c) Pilgrimage.
(d) Meditation.

2. How does the author respond when asked about spatial relationships?
(a) They don't seem to matter as much as they usually do.
(b) They have completely ceased to matter to him.
(c) They are more noticeable and pronounced than usual.
(d) They are warped and inaccurate.

3. What substance is the author testing in the experiment?
(a) Mescalin.
(b) Angel dust.
(c) Acid.
(d) Cocaine.

4. What substance is produced when adrenalin decomposes?
(a) Adrenochrome.
(b) Mescalin.
(c) Melatonin.
(d) Serotonin.

5. What is known about the substance being tested as of the year the experiment is performed?
(a) It can alter the subject's mental state without any noticeable side effects.
(b) It can have serious or even fatal side effects, but only in a very small percentage of people who use it.
(c) It is only safe to use in small doses.
(d) It alters one's mental state, but often induces anxiety or panic.

6. Which of these is NOT a vision which the author thinks might be produced by prodding the brain with an electrode?
(a) Nostradamus's visions of the future.
(b) Weir Mitchell's visions of the Gothic tower.
(c) The author's friend's vision of a colorful Japanese landscape.
(d) Blake's visions of the Cherubim.

7. How would a spiritual person interpret chemically-induced visionary experiences?
(a) They were sent by God, and the chemicals had nothing to do with it.
(b) A vision which is chemically-induced cannot be divine.
(c) All experiences are chemically-induced, including the divine ones, because that's just how our bodies work.
(d) Most truly spiritual people don't believe in visionary experiences.

8. How does the author respond when the researcher asks him if his experience with the drug is positive or negative?
(a) It is neither positive nor negative; it just is.
(b) It is mostly positive, but frightening at times.
(c) It is mostly negative, but the positive parts make it worthwhile.
(d) It is positive for him, but he can see where it would be frightening for others.

9. According to the author, what are the two reasons for the manner in which visionaries are received?
(a) Philosophical and chemical.
(b) Chemical and physical.
(c) Religious and philosophical.
(d) Physical and religious.

10. What development contributed greatly, according to the author, to pageantry and theatrical spectacle?
(a) Widespread literacy.
(b) Photography.
(c) Artificial lighting.
(d) Mass production of clothing and jewelry.

11. What is self-flagellation?
(a) The act of cutting oneself.
(b) The act of whipping oneself.
(c) The act of burning oneself.
(d) The act of piercing one's skin.

12. Why are marble and stone often particularly impressive materials in art?
(a) Because they are so hard to find.
(b) Because the pieces made from them are usually very large.
(c) Because they are more difficult to work with than other media.
(d) Because they last longer than many other pieces of art.

13. In what way does the second essay differ from the first?
(a) The second was written before the author's experimentation with drugs.
(b) The second was originally a journal entry, and the author didn't intend to publish it.
(c) The second doesn't recount any specific experience.
(d) The second essay has a darker, more sinister tone than the first.

14. Why are religious beings often portrayed doing nothing?
(a) Because human beings are not predisposed to look for action in art.
(b) Because it would be sacreligious to presume to know what divine beings do with their time.
(c) Because their role is not an active one.
(d) Because it is too difficult for most painters to make something beautiful and to also convey a message with it.

15. What chemicals were released into the bloodstream during the act of self-flagellation?
(a) Serotonin and adrenalin.
(b) Adrenalin and histamines.
(c) Endorphins and serotonin.
(d) Histamines and endorphins.

Short Answer Questions

1. How are many visionaries received by others, according to the author?

2. The substance being tested has been used by Native Americans of what region for hundreds of years?

3. In what type of plant is the substance being tested commonly found?

4. To what researcher does the author refer when commenting on the first technique in Appendix 1?

5. What event was, according to the author, an example of ancient pageantry which was enriched and improved by technological advances?

(see the answer keys)

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