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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Veblen call the code of conduct for servants?
(a) Mechanical efficiency.
(b) Service with a smile.
(c) Conspicuous subservience.
(d) Conspicuous discomfort.

2. What classes does Veblen describe emerging as society developed?
(a) Workers and parasites.
(b) Industrial and nonindustrial classes.
(c) Blue-collar and white-collar classes.
(d) Proletariat and bourgeoisie.

3. Which aspect of culture was a condition for the development of a leisure class?
(a) Representative government.
(b) An ethic of sharing.
(c) A predatory nature in the community.
(d) Competition for resources.

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

5. What is the relationship between manners and class?
(a) Manners change from time to time to keep newcomers at a disadvantage.
(b) Manners indicate breeding and status.
(c) Manners indicate social climbers.
(d) Manners indicate conformity to the dominant class's fashions.

6. Which occupation would the leisure class have worked as?
(a) Minister.
(b) Engraver.
(c) Writer.
(d) Merchant.

7. What does Veblen say was the earliest form of ownership?
(a) Ownership of land.
(b) Ownership of hunting rights.
(c) Ownership of songs.
(d) Ownership of women.

8. What makes dress a good indicator of conspicuous waste?
(a) It is always on display.
(b) It can be made in so many different ways.
(c) Everyone knows how much clothing costs.
(d) Everyone has to wear it.

9. What force does Veblen say shapes the standard of living?
(a) Human guilt.
(b) The predatory animus.
(c) The industrial lifestyle.
(d) Physical hunger.

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

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

12. What happens to the standard of wealth over time?
(a) It remains the same until technology increases efficiencies again.
(b) It keeps increasing as society becomes more efficient.
(c) It declines as efficiencies make wealth easier to obtain.
(d) It changes as trends change.

13. What does Veblen say causes an item of clothing to be seen as inferior?
(a) If it is cheap.
(b) If it is widely available.
(c) If it is easy to manufacture.
(d) If it is gaudy.

14. What kind of leisure is created by inheritance?
(a) Vicarious leisure.
(b) Obligatory leisure.
(c) Super-leisure.
(d) Marginal leisure.

15. What did men use to display their exploits during the earliest forms of ownership?
(a) War booty.
(b) Enemy women.
(c) Gold.
(d) Stories.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Veblen say happens to cultures that develop knowledge and tools?

2. How does Veblen describe hunting in a predatory culture?

3. What distinction begins to be drawn as the group around the patron grows?

4. Vicarious leisure results in what?

5. What does Veblen say is evidence of people's concern with their appearances?

(see the answer keys)

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