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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. This chapter says that society seems to prefer ________ to things, and continues to repeat this idea throughout the text.

2. The very act of ____________ something new casts it as something new and beautiful.

3. It becomes imperative, in order to avoid cliche, to constantly be discovering new sources of ___________.

4. Photographs make ____________ safe and concrete, according to Sontag. Some prefer photographs to reality.

5. Many people fear being photographed because they fear the camera's ___________ of their looks.

Short Essay Questions

1. In order to avoid the over-exposure of beautiful things, what becomes necessary in relation to beauty?

2. What does modern photography seem to say about this subject of the photograph and its importance?

3. 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?

4. What does photography have the power to do to truly beautiful things, according to this chapter?

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

6. Why did photography enjoy a sudden burst in popularity, according to the text in this chapter?

7. What does the final chapter have to present about the idea of images in relation to reality, something which may not be fully supported by the text?

8. What does this chapter seem to believe the current definition of modern society is in relation to images and things?

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

10. What do some philosophers - namely Balzac - have to say about the idea or the act of taking photographs?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Whitman strove to see what was similar in all beings as opposed to what was unique about people, it seems.

Part 1: Do you think people are unique or are we all the same? Why or why not?

Part 2: How does the perception of the world change when you realize all people are the same?

Part 3: Why do you think it's important to see similarities among people? Or isn't it?

Essay Topic 2

According to Sontag, painting favors beautiful items while photography favors less than attractive objects.

Part 1: Why do you think painting is used for beautiful items?

Part 2: Do you think painting can only be used for beautiful things? Why or why not?

Part 3: Do you think that photography focuses only on those things which are less attractive? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

The Farm Security Administration once did a photography project which sought to capture the 'common' man

Part 1: How do you define the idea of a common man? Is this definable?

Part 2: Why is it important to document that image of a common man? Or isn't it?

Part 3: How can images of what is common change the way the world works?

(see the answer keys)

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