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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 define leisure?
(a) Using time in ways that produce entertainment.
(b) Anything done outside of work.
(c) Using time in nonproductive ways.
(d) Anything that doesn't produce anything.

2. Where did the earliest form of ownership take place?
(a) In higher barbarian stages of culture.
(b) In high industrial stages of culture.
(c) In lower barbarian stages of culture.
(d) In early industrial stages of culture.

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

4. What happens when people attain a certain level of consumption?
(a) It is easier to reach what has been just out of reach.
(b) It is difficult to move to a lower level.
(c) They are free to move down, but it is difficult to move further up.
(d) They try to raise their children with less frivolous things.

5. What is reserved for the leisure class?
(a) Possession of slaves.
(b) Travel.
(c) Luxuries like jewelry.
(d) Owning property.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Veblen define conspicuous consumption?

2. What are signs of vicarious consumption?

3. Private ownership led to what cultural development?

4. What employments did upper-class people in Iceland and Polynesia work in?

5. What does Veblen say makes wealth desirable?

(see the answer key)

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