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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. How might it benefit a leader to be unaware if his regime is treating the people poorly?

2. What does every country perpetuate to some extent, according to Lessing?

3. During experiments, individuals have been shown to __________.

4. When unprompted confessions took place during the war, what did governments begin to study?

5. What, according to Lessing, is the biggest problem people in democratic societies face?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Lessing believe that insane people are the only ones safe against brainwashing?

2. Are all aspects of brainwashing intentional?

3. Why would a government or sect of any sort want to control its subjects through brainwashing?

4. What type of wars did Lessing live through?

5. Why would Margaret Thatcher use an advertising agency as a method to get elected?

6. Why was Lessing opposed to mass emotion?

7. Why do most people believe they are not susceptible to brainwashing?

8. According to Lessing, why is elitism considered unfashionable?

9. What relationship does communism have with the individual?

10. What is the value of brainwashing to a government?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

According to Lessing, people have a tendency to follow a leader. Examine the concept of leadership and how it is acted out in society, citing examples from the text.

Essay Topic 2

Lessing believed that, throughout history, a group mentality has prevented people from standing up to thoughts and ideas that caused harm to others. Citing examples from the text, discuss the various moments throughout history where group mentality was dominant over reason. Include the following:

1) Hitler's regime.

2) The witch trials.

3) Religious sects.

Essay Topic 3

Examine one of the following examples, supporting or refuting Lessing's belief that these groups vilified the opposition in order to uphold their cause.

1) The miner who was beaten in Britain.

2) The Christian religion.

3) The political Left.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 574 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample