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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through The Pecuniary Standard of Living.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does Veblen say the upper classes in an agricultural society see work?
(a) They envy it.
(b) They see it as dishonorable.
(c) They master it.
(d) They idealize it.

2. What distinction does Veblen say separates men and women?
(a) Men can endure greater strains.
(b) Women can contain men's emotions.
(c) Women are more empathetic.
(d) Men are more aggressive.

3. What does Veblen say emulation leads to?
(a) Conspicuous consumption.
(b) Conspicuous waste.
(c) Conspicuous servitude.
(d) Conspicuous produciton.

4. What are the standards of consumption determined by?
(a) Class mobility.
(b) Conspicuous waste and workmanship.
(c) Physical comfort.
(d) Industrial production.

5. How does the upper class distinguish itself, according to Veblen?
(a) By selling the proceeds of its labor.
(b) By performing labor efficiently.
(c) By avoiding labor.
(d) By profiting from labor.

Short Answer Questions

1. What stage of culture contained the institution of the leisure class?

2. What distinction does Veblen say emerged between types of labor in cultures that had a leisure class?

3. What does Veblen say was lacking in primitive culture?

4. What happens when men come into wealth through peaceful means?

5. Private ownership led to what cultural development?

(see the answer key)

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