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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. Most - nearly all - __________ images are photographs, according to Sontag's findings.

2. The preference in question #154 is actually used as the very definition of modern __________, according to Sontag.

3. ___________ often reveal beauty that is not normally seen, according to Sontag in this chapter.

4. The __________ are not the same between painting and photography, though the devotion may be.

5. What art has had to struggle to become a high art, though others have not had to work as hard to get to that title?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do most claim about the intentions of photography, according to the long essays in this chapter?

2. In 1839, why was photography briefly attacked by those in society, according to the history lessons of this chapter?

3. Sontag makes a bold assertion in regards to photography and the work of some artists. What does she assert?

4. What did the film Chung Kuo include that helped to present an accurate, though not flattering, picture of Chinese life?

5. What do some theories speculate that photography allows the artist to capture when they are taking the photograph?

6. Why are photographs considered to be a superior form of recording information, even more so than writing?

7. What do some primitive tribes think about the idea of taking pictures of other people, according to this chapter?

8. What do the Chinese tastes prefer to see in their films, which made the Italian director a poor choice for the documentary on Chinese life?

9. Why is a photograph of an object a more reliable way of looking at an object, according to the text in this chapter?

10. What is the struggle that's described in relation to paintings versus taking photographs, according to Sontag?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Diane Arbus took pictures of people in society who might be considered freaks, something Sontag seems to judge.

Part 1: How do you define the idea of 'freaks'?

Part 2: Do you think there is value in the Arbus pictures? Why or why not?

Part 3: Do you agree that those who are not 'normal' as defined by society are freaks? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

In the end, Sontag points out that some people seem to prefer photographic images to reality.

Part 1: How are photographs superior to reality?

Part 2: Why do you think reality might be less appealing to others?

Part 3: Do you prefer photographs or reality? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Sontag makes a bold supposition that some artists create their works only to be photographed.

Part 1: Do you think an artist would only create something in order to get its picture taken?

Part 2: Why do you think artists create their pieces to begin with?

Part 3: Do you agree with Sontag's idea? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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