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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What observation does Rousseau make about the world in the beginning of Book 4 Chapter 1?
(a) How much potential there is in man.
(b) How much sorrow there is in the world.
(c) How much knowledge there is to acquire.
(d) How much money there is to be made.

2. What was the convention for authors of unconventional books in Europe?
(a) They would publish under pseudonyms.
(b) They would publish under their own names.
(c) They would self-publish.
(d) They would publish in another language first.

3. What is Rousseau's ideal for child rearing?
(a) Instill obedience as the solution to inner conflicts.
(b) Do away with inner conflicts.
(c) Make children aware of their inner conflicts.
(d) Instill self-reliance as the solution to inner conflicts.

4. What argument does Rousseau use to support his emphasis on the need for physical activity in children?
(a) He cites philosophers who agree with him.
(b) He appeals to the reader's common sense.
(c) He refutes philosophers' claims to the contrary.
(d) He refers to studies that have been conducted.

5. What is most relevant in deciding how or whether to punish a child?
(a) The circumstances and the context of the infraction.
(b) The temperaments of the parent and the child.
(c) The rule or law at issue.
(d) The spiritual dangers of the issue.

6. What was Rousseau's father's trade?
(a) Professor.
(b) Cooper.
(c) Watch maker.
(d) Blacksmith.

7. With what tone does Rousseau open Book 4 Chapter 1?
(a) Energetic lamentation.
(b) Powerful exhortation.
(c) Passionate accusation.
(d) Reasoned explanation.

8. What advice does Rousseau give to mothers?
(a) Care for children physically to allow them to perceive correctly.
(b) Confine the child's body in order to bring its soul into alignment with reason.
(c) Mortify the body in order to focus the will on the world of the spirit.
(d) Care for the child's moral development above all.

9. Who tried to punish Rousseau for writing "Emile"?
(a) Public authorities.
(b) Bureaucrats.
(c) Townspeople in his city.
(d) The aristocracy.

10. How does Rousseau say selfishness is ever satisfied?
(a) It is perfected in familial duty.
(b) It is never satisfied.
(c) It is satisfied with wealth and power.
(d) It is satisfied in nationalism.

11. What is it that allows an adolescent to exceed his limits?
(a) A strength he attains as the reward for competition against his peers.
(b) A strength that he did not know he had.
(c) A strength he assumes by strict physical training.
(d) A strength that had always been there, unused.

12. What kind of mother does Rousseau address himself to?
(a) Mothers who have traditions.
(b) Mothers who follow the rules.
(c) Mothers who think for themselves.
(d) Mothers who believe in God.

13. What was the dominant idea in Europe when Rousseau wrote "Emile"?
(a) That knowledge comes from God.
(b) That knowledge comes from the senses.
(c) That all knowledge is just remembering.
(d) That knowledge is innate.

14. What proportion of children reached adulthood in Rousseau's time?
(a) Three quarters.
(b) All.
(c) A quarter.
(d) Half.

15. What does Rousseau say he wants Emile to learn?
(a) Philosophy.
(b) Discipline.
(c) Ignorance.
(d) Virtue.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who rewarded Rousseau for writing "Emile"?

2. Which philosopher does Rousseau cite by name in the section on Submission?

3. If someone published under his/her own name, what question did he/her confront?

4. What does Rousseau say a man should have learned in his first 25 years?

5. When should children begin book learning, in Rousseau's opinion?

(see the answer keys)

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