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

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Eagleton think many sub-routines of our mind are doing?

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

3. What did others say about the incident?

4. What creature does Eagleman use as an example of one with an excellent sense of smell?

5. What are two competing aspects of the brain which Eagleman mentions?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Eagleman say is hard wired into our brains?

2. How does a rat react to conflicting choices?

3. What comparison of thought to wavelengths does Eagleman make?

4. What does Chapter 4 explore?

5. What does Eagleman have readers consider about Whitman?

6. What does Eagleman say about free will?

7. To what part of the body are newborns drawn and what does this imply about human beings' predisposition?

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

9. What does Eagleman say about our ability to perceive light versus that of insects?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think Incognito is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,078 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample