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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. ____________ and tea are connected in legend.

2. These are different from ________________, which is a communistic thought.

3. Lu Wu insists that what kind of water is the best tea to brew with?

4. What is the word for the "religion of aestheticism," which has grown up around tea in Japanese culture?

5. Is there a mechanical method for making tea?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who was Lu Wu? What were his beliefs about tea?

2. How did tea begin?

3. What might a typical Westerner see in the tea ceremony?

4. What did Fenollosa and Okakura do together? How and why did their travels together end?

5. How does Zennism oppose Buddhism?

6. How are the Whipped Tea era and the Boiled Tea era different?

7. Describe Okakura's education.

8. Will the West ever truly understand the East? Why or why not? What stereotypes have formed? Are these stereotypes breaking down? Why or why not?

9. Why is there so much fuss about tea?

10. Describe the Whipped Tea era.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

To truly appreciate art, one must discipline one's mind to properly receive and perceive art.

Part 1) How is this statement supported by this book? How can one discipline one's mind? How does the author suggest one discipline one's mind?

Part 2) Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not? Can one appreciate art without being "disciplined?" Explain.

Part 3) What art or art form do you appreciate the most? How have you been disciplined or conditioned to appreciate it?

Essay Topic 2

Humans have demonstrated that they are unworthy of the flower.

Part 1) How have humans demonstrated this? Is the flower unique to being mistreated by man? Explain.

Part 2) How does the Cult of Flowers try to go against this fact? Do Americans treat flowers with respect? Why or why not?

Part 3) Are humans worthy of anything? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Taoism and tea are connected.

Part 1) What is Taoism? How is Taoism connected to tea? How have they each influenced the other? What else is connected to tea?

Part 2) How have tea rooms and tea ceremonies been influenced by various philosophies and religions? How is this influence seen even in Western tea culture?

Part 3) How is religion and philosophy tied to American culture? How important is religion to our country's past, present, and future?

(see the answer keys)

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