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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Spending money on churches is an example of what?
(a) Vicarious waste.
(b) Devout consumption.
(c) Conspicuous consumption.
(d) Architectural waste.

2. When did the leisure class become part of society?
(a) At the same time technology did.
(b) At the same time religion did.
(c) At the same time ownership did.
(d) At the same time slavery did.

3. Why do people spend more than they need for physical comfort?
(a) They conform to a code of decency.
(b) They need to stimulate their local economy.
(c) They want to impress their superiors.
(d) They cannot keep excess wealth.

4. Who engages in vicarious consumption?
(a) Men of leisure.
(b) Workers.
(c) Slaves.
(d) Servants.

5. What clothes should members of the leisure class wear?
(a) Clothes that indicate that they do not work.
(b) Clothes that indicate that they inherited their money.
(c) Clothes that indicate that they are friendly with their tailors.
(d) Clothes that indicate that they work because the want to.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which cultures exhibited the leisure class?

2. What aspect of culture was a condition for the development of a leisure class?

3. Where does Veblen say scholars fit in the social spectrum?

4. What standard does Veblen say guides people's behavior?

5. How does Veblen say the upper classes in an agricultural society see work?

Short Essay Questions

1. What status is attributed to scholars?

2. How does the leisure of the leisure class affect the servants?

3. How have women's clothes demonstrated that the woman does not engage in productive employment?

4. How are churches and ornate buildings related to conspicuous waste?

5. How does the leisure class view work?

6. What began with private ownership?

7. Why do most people spend in excess of what is required for their physical comfort?

8. How does style ensure conspicuous waste?

9. How did women practice production and consumption in early predatory culture?

10. What do expensive clothes say about a person?

(see the answer keys)

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