View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is exceptional about the creature mentioned in question 89?

2. How old was Charles Whitman when he died?

3. What did others say about the incident?

4. What disease does Eagleman mention in support of his argument about free will?

5. What did some commentators say about the incident with the actor?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Eagleman say about a man named Alex?

2. Explain the study that was performed on how men rate a woman's attractiveness.

3. Explain the physical division in the brain and what can happen if the two hemispheres are severed.

4. What does a team of rivals have to do with the brain?

5. How does a rat react to conflicting choices?

6. What does Eagleman have readers consider about Whitman?

7. What incident does Eagleman discuss concerning Mel Gibson?

8. Who is Charles Whitman and what did he do and what may have contributed to his actions?

9. Does Eagleman think genetics or upbringing has more to bear on one's actions and does he think it is an important question?

10. How does Eagleman use an example of early robotics to illustrate how the mind may be divided?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Eagleman in writing about Mel Gibson cites anti-Semitism was demonstrated by Gibson. Discuss one of the following:

1. Define anti-Semitism and give examples of it from both Incognito and other sources.

2. Do you think anti-Semitism still exists in the United States? Explain.

3. Discuss the idea put forth by Eagleman that Mel Gibson may have two brains, one not prejudice and one that is. Use examples from Incognito to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful work of non-fiction?

2. Analyze and discuss The Hand based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if Incognito is a successful work of non-fiction/memoir.

3. Is The Hand a book you would recommend to a friend? Why or why not? Explain.

4. Can a non-fictional book be successful and yet many readers not enjoy it? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 3

Much of what motivates us and drives our behavior is hard wired into our brains, Eagleman claims, and he provides several examples to support his argument. Experiments on babies indicate they show a tendency to look at faces. Humans seem to be predisposed, without any prior experience or learning, to be attracted to faces. Newborns also show evidence of recognizing and being attracted to the smell of their mother.

1. Do you think you are motivated by your thoughts or by something hard wired into your brain? Why or why not? Use examples from your own life and Incognito to support your answer.

2. If motivation is hard wired into us, what do you think is the reason some people force themselves to do something they do not want to do because they think it is the right thing to do? Use examples from your own life and Incognito to support your answer.

3. Discuss a situation in which you think you were driven or motivated to do something you did not want to do. Do you think it was you genes that drove you? Why or why not? Use examples from your own life and Incognito to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,340 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample