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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. To what do human beings seem to be predisposed without prior learning?

2. What did the actor do after the incident?

3. What do newborns seem to recognize?

4. What was discovered about Alex's health?

5. How is the problem solved?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does Eagleman compare the conscious mind to our senses?

3. How does Eagleman see many of the small sub-routines of the mind and what example does he give?

4. What incident does Eagleman discuss concerning Mel Gibson?

5. What example does Eagleman cite to demonstrate the difference between the rational and emotional mind?

6. What does Chapter 4 explore?

7. What does Eagleman suggest about our culpability in our actions, particularly males?

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

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

10. What does Eagleman write about Kenneth Parks?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

This assembly of competing routines is what makes up most of the activity of our brains, and our conscious mind, as is demonstrated in brains where these competing processes have been interrupted or disconnected, is mostly at the mercy of our unconscious processes. Eagleman presents the results of experiments that suggest that our conscious mind will even fabricate reasons for our actions after the fact when we cannot tell what our true motivations are.

1. There is a saying that we do not really look at pros and cons for a decision but instead make the decision unconsciously and then justify our decision with pros and cons. Discuss this idea bringing in the examples Eagleman gives.

2. Do you think most of the time a person does not know his or her true motivations for behavior? Why or why not? Use examples from your own life and Incognito to support your reasoning.

3. Discuss an incident in your life where after it happen you could not understand why you said or did what you said or did. How does that incident relate to Eagleman's assertion about unconscious control of people's lives? Use examples from your own life and Incognito to support your reasoning.

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

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?

(see the answer keys)

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