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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In Chapter 6, what does Ishmael say is unobtainable in the narrator’s culture?
(a) An understanding of the goal of human culture
(b) An orientation to natural laws
(c) Freedom from guilt
(d) Certain knowledge about how to live

2. What does the narrator find on the arm of his chair during his third dialogue with Ishmael?
(a) A camera
(b) A notebook
(c) A tape recorder
(d) An ax

3. What does the narrator say the ad in Chapter 1 was looking for?
(a) Someone who wanted to change the world
(b) Someone who wanted to make an investment
(c) Someone who wanted to work with gorillas
(d) Someone who wanted to teach

4. What does Ishmael tell the narrator to do, when the narrator cannot say what man’s destiny is in Chapter 5?
(a) Think emotionally
(b) Think metaphorically
(c) Think mythologically
(d) Think historically

5. When does Ishmael say he was truly born?
(a) When he realized that his name was not his
(b) When he learned to read
(c) When he realized that he was a gorilla
(d) When he realized that he had a name

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the ‘but’ Ishmael sees in the narrator’s story: “The world was made for man to conquer, and turn into a paradise--except for what”?

2. What is a koan?

3. How does Ishmael say the followers of Copernicus convinced people to change their view of heliocentrism?

4. What terms do Ishmael’s terms ‘Takers’ and ‘Leavers’ correspond to?

5. Upon answering the ad, what does the narrator say he finds in the room when he goes in?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Ishmael characterize the earth before the development of human culture?

2. What does Ishmael say man’s purpose is, in the narrator’s creation myth?

3. What are the definitions Ishmael lays out for the narrator?

4. Describe the narrator’s first encounter with Ishmael.

5. Why does Walter Sokolow adopt Ishmael?

6. How do Ishmael and the narrator see the Takers as similar to early aeronauts?

7. Why is the narrator so upset to see Ishmael’s ad in the paper?

8. What does Ishmael say the narrator’s creation myth justifies?

9. How would you characterize Ishmael’s tone with the narrator in general, as they talk regularly?

10. What is the rival creation story Ishmael tells the narrator?

(see the answer keys)

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