View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Lessing thought _____________ would be angry over her experiment with a pseudonym.

2. According to Lessing, what type of absolutes do group minds often express?

3. What would Lessing like schools or governments to teach?

4. Through understanding brainwashing, Lessing hoped that people could let go of ___________.

5. Lessing believed that any sane person is susceptible to __________.

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Lessing publish books under a pseudonym?

2. What relationship does communism have with the individual?

3. Why was Lessing opposed to mass emotion?

4. What type of wars did Lessing live through?

5. When confronted with a group opinion, why is it often difficult to maintain an opposing, individual opinion?

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

7. Who is Jean Rhys? Why did all of her work become popular?

8. Are all aspects of brainwashing intentional?

9. During the Korean War, why were American soldiers confessing to crimes they had nothing to do with?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Support or refute the following statement, citing examples from the text, "The mob mentality has dominated individual thought throughout history."

Essay Topic 2

During the Korean War, U.S. soldiers were brainwashed into confessing crimes they did not commit. This began a government investigation into brainwashing. How might government knowledge of brainwashing affect society?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 525 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample