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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. E.O. Wilson believes individuals are born with what?

2. What industry does Erica go into after graduating college?

3. According to a study quoted in Chapter 7, ninety percent of couples that have children plan to do what?

4. Who introduces Erica to Harold?

5. Why is Erica not let into New Hope at the beginning of Chapter 7?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Erica nearly not go to the University of Denver in Chapter 9?

2. How is the Academy schedule different from public school?

3. How is the mind inefficient, according to David Brooks?

4. Describe Erica's experience at the consulting firm.

5. How does Erica almost get arrested in Chapter 7?

6. How do Erica and Harold form a close bond in Chapter 13?

7. How does Harold battle overweening passion in Chapter 13?

8. What does Brooks assess the search for harmony in Chapter 13?

9. What is limerence?

10. Describe the ideology of Rationalism.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Harold's professional life takes an interestingly circuitous trajectory as he searches for spiritual fulfillment. Write an essay about the different stages of Harold's professional development:

Part 1) What about Erica's offer inspires Harold to end his odyssey period after college? Discuss the nature of Harold's work with the fledgling consulting firm? What skills does he develop? How does this occupation draw to a close?

Part 2) Discuss the impact working with the Historical Society has on Harold. What parts of his life does he leave behind in the process? What does he find especially fulfilling about this work?

Part 3) What ideas about politics does Harold bring to his think tank job? Discuss how Harold's previous life experience informs the policy papers he writes? What policy proposals does he produce at this think tank? How are they the culmination of his professional life?

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay about the teaching style that Ms. Taylor employs while assisting Harold with his senior paper. What are the five steps that are involved in this process? How does this teaching style internalize the knowledge? What role does Harold's journal have in this internalization? Discuss how this style of learning forever changes the way Harold takes in information.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay about the prenatal and early childhood relationship between Julia and Harold. How is Julia's life different before and after she becomes pregnant? What is Harold's goal from the moment he develops sentience? How does he break down Julia's personality, and how does he rebuild her? Discuss how this process leads to a reinvented Julia who makes caring for Harold her primary concern?

(see the answer keys)

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