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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. Every movement of humanity and _______ is one that leads toward simplicity, according to the book.

2. _________ is not the desired goal of the person who wants to be more spiritual or focused, according to the book.

3. The first step to a more satisfying life is to enter into Voluntary __________, according to the book.

4. No man is without _______, whether he is gainfully employed or not, according to the book.

5. Plutarch is happy that his only ________ is lost at sea because he will be able to live the life of a philosopher.

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the invention of free time, as given by mass production, cause a man to do?

2. When does Thoreau say that he feels rich in his own life, according to this section?

3. How can the hunger for the mostly empty goals in society and in life be thwarted, according to the book?

4. What does the first section have to say about man and what his obligation is in life?

5. What does Mildred Binns Young's thesis state about the rich in this section of the book?

6. What is the desired goal of having less if the goal is not to be destitute?

7. What does Dorothy Day explain the difference between when she contributes to the book?

8. What happens when a rich man discards clothing that is too old?

9. Why is it difficult to reject the easy life and the comfort of materialism?

10. What is the societal status of St. Francis of Assisi before he begins his work as a monk?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The idea of the family subsisting on the actions and the resources of each other is also addressed in this book.

Part 1: Do you think your family is able to subsist on its own?

Part 2: Is it possibly too rigid to say that families should support only themselves? Why or why not?

Part 3: How do you think society might be impacted if families just watch out for themselves and not others?

Essay Topic 2

The idea of poverty is one that can scare people as well as make them curious to find out more.

Part 1: How do you define what is poverty and what is not poverty?

Part 2: What do you think happens in order to make a person a part of the poorer society?

Part 3: Why do you think poverty is often looked at as a negative thing?

Essay Topic 3

In the book, ego is defined as a non-productive luxury that stands in the way of one's true worth.

Part 1: Do you think that ego gets in your way? Why or why not?

Part 2: In what way is ego a luxury in life, as stated in the book?

Part 3: How do you think your life would look if you didn't have ego to worry about?

(see the answer keys)

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