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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How many inhabitants spoke English as the native tongue in 1988, according to Chapter 4, "Building Bridges"?

2. Which group of people are naturally curious about their world they inhabit?

3. Who was a beekeeper that often learned from the bees?

4. What level of teachers needed to visit and revisit the regular curriculum question regularly?

5. Ayers states that what type of teacher engages youngsters, interacted with them, and drew energy from students?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are Ayers's feelings on standardized tests?

2. What does Ayers say greatness in teaching requires?

3. According to Ayers, where do standardized tests push well-intentioned teachers and school leaders?

4. What does Ayers believe the fundamental curriculum question is?

5. In Chapter 7, "The Mystery of Teaching," describe the students at Imani School.

6. How did Ayers describe Zayd's pursuing of his "coming of age" ceremony?

7. What were Ayers's feelings during the Illinois Teachers Basic Skills Test?

8. Describe Ayers's quest in teaching.

9. Explain the themes of Fratney described by Ayers.

10. In Chapter 4, "Building Bridges," what did the second grade newsletter contain?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

According to Ayers, teaching was entombed in a myth. Ayers discussed twelve myths of teaching.

Part 1) Discuss three of the twelve myths Ayers addressed in the book.

Part 2) Why did these myths exist?

Part 3) How can one be sure these myths are not true?

Essay Topic 2

The word teaching can mean several things to different people.

Part 1) Describe the author's view on the words teacher and teaching.

Part 2) Explain Ayers's view on the "life in teaching."

Part 3) What did Ayers compare a "life in teaching" to?

Essay Topic 3

Ayers discussed culture and the many things culture was and was not.

Part 1) According to Ayers what was culture?

Part 2) Who did Ayers believe determined the culture of a community?

Part 3) What cultures did Ayers discuss in the book?

(see the answer keys)

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