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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. What surprised Lessing regarding human behavior over time?

2. What was an unquestionable belief held by the political party Lessing joined in Rhodesia?

3. What was remarkable about the bull this farmer owned?

4. Which leader of the miner's strike was referenced by Lessing?

5. What does Lessing hope will one day change human behavior?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What did Lessing mean when she said that groups will often "vilify their opposition"?

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

6. Lessing believed that if humans could learn from our history, we could change our future in what respect?

7. What was Lessing's opinion regarding war as a basis of our mentality?

8. Why did Lessing suggest that strengthening individuality would lead to a better world in the future?

9. Why does Lessing consider the age of Arthastra to be significant?

10. What was the political climate in Lessing's country when she was growing up?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The mob mentality is an idea Lessing attributes to many of the shortcomings of the human race.

1) What is the mob mentality?

2) How does it work when a problem is at hand?

3) At what point does this mentality serve as a detriment to society?

Essay Topic 2

Lessing contended that several parts of our culture use brainwashing as a form of communication. Choose from one of the following entities and examine the influence it has or could have on society through brainwashing.

1) Advertising community.

2) Religion.

3) Government.

Essay Topic 3

The idea of democracy has been around for years. Lessing believed that, with time and the support of free thinkers, it will continue to grow and develop.

1) What is democracy and who started it?

2) What are some challenges it has faced?

3) Where does Lessing see it going in the future?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 705 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample