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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Henry Adams says that as things become more complex, they need what?

2. What does Henry Adams compare the passing of centuries to in "Vis Nova"?

3. At the end of "The Abyss of Ignorance", how many books does Henry Adams say he will write?

4. What is the principle element Henry Adams is trying to understand in "The Grammar of Science"?

5. In "Silence", when does Henry Adams leave Washington, DC?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Henry Adams created the terms the Dynamo and the Virgin. What are the Dynamo and the Virgin? How do they relate to each other? What do they represent in the world? How do these ideas help Adams' create all of his theories of the world? Are these useful terms? Why/why not?

Essay Topic 2

Henry Adams travels between the United States and Europe quite frequently. How does he describe the two places in contrast with each other? How do they compare in terms of people, politics and progress?

Essay Topic 3

Henry Adams spends years attending institutions of formal education. How does Henry Adams feel about formal education? What shaped his opinions? What ways does he think of to fix what is wrong with formal education?

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