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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. What does Veblen say is evidence of people's concern with their appearances?
(a) They will follow the fashions, no matter how silly.
(b) They will neglect to protect themselves from the weather.
(c) They will expose as much or as little of themselves as fashion warrants.
(d) They will wear clothing that gets in the way of their work.

2. What are signs of vicarious consumption?
(a) Making loans to workers.
(b) Volunteering among the poor.
(c) Costume and dress of servants.
(d) Open air markets for servants.

3. Vicarious consumption reflects whose standing?
(a) The slave's.
(b) The patron's.
(c) The servant's.
(d) The worker's.

4. What does Veblen say is the motive for ownership?
(a) Competitiveness.
(b) Possessiveness.
(c) Emulation.
(d) Envy.

5. What does Veblen say motivates conspicuous waste?
(a) The desire to give to the poor indirectly.
(b) The desire to conform to established usage.
(c) The desire to consume excessively.
(d) The desire to demonstrate wealth.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Veblen say women wore corsets?

2. What is reserved for the leisure class?

3. What does Veblen say happens whenever people acquire a greater ability to pay?

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

5. Spending money on ornate buildings is an example of what?

Short Essay Questions

1. What distinguishes the leisure class from the other classes?

2. In what way is dress an example of conspicuous waste?

3. How does the clergy demonstrate vicarious leisure?

4. How does the standard of wealth change over time?

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

6. How are habits formed?

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

8. How does style ensure conspicuous waste?

9. What are the two conditions necessary for the development of the leisure class?

10. What kinds of feats replace productivity for the leisure class?

(see the answer keys)

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