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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. What does Lessing believe old literature to be?
(a) Inspiring.
(b) Outdated.
(c) Boring.
(d) Poorly written.

2. When political groups or religions have a conflict, what does Lessing believe that those involved typically stop doing?
(a) Thinking.
(b) Believing gossip.
(c) Loving their neighbor.
(d) Supporting the cause.

3. What was the result of the miner's strike?
(a) Positive publicity.
(b) Rioting.
(c) Book burning.
(d) Mine explosions.

4. Lessing was shocked to learn that her friend, a born again Christian, rejected ______________.
(a) Her family.
(b) Her country.
(c) Creature comforts.
(d) Sobriety.

5. What was the race of the boy the bull killed?
(a) Asian.
(b) Black.
(c) Hispanic.
(d) White.

Short Answer Questions

1. During a riot in Brussels, what shocking act did humans perform on corpses?

2. Where did the miner's strike referenced by Lessing take place?

3. What did onlookers believe about the opposing sides from the miner's strike?

4. What was Lessing's attitude toward bigotry?

5. Lessing believed that groups act together due to ___________.

Short Essay Questions

1. When onlookers recognize that others are lying, Lessing believed they refuse to protest the lies for what purpose?

2. Why was Lessing not surprised by the story of the attack on the British miner who was beaten by his friends?

3. How did the ruling class in Rhodesia get others to go along with their beliefs?

4. According to Lessing, how is the group mentality different from individual mentality?

5. In terms of collective beliefs during her life time, what idiocy struck Lessing?

6. What was the purpose of cutting down a tree associated with a traitor? Why did Lessing find it ridiculous?

7. Why did Lessing join a communist group in Rhodesia?

8. What service did Lessing feel that novelists brought to the world?

9. Why did Lessing believe the tendency to buy into vilification was a form of popular lunacy?

10. What is Lessing's prediction concerning what every viewpoint will become with time?

(see the answer keys)

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