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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. To what movie does the first chapter, entitled "Taking the Red Pill," refer?
(a) The Matrix.
(b) Drugstore Cowboy.
(c) Taxi Driver.
(d) Magnolia.

2. What Rolling Stones song does the author say perfectly encapsulates the human condition from the Buddhist point of view?
(a) Gimme Shelter.
(b) You Can't Always Get What You Want.
(c) I Can't Get No Satisfaction.
(d) Salt of the Earth.

3. The first time the author attended a week-long meditation retreat, he was allowed to speak how many times?
(a) Never.
(b) Once.
(c) Three times.
(d) Twice.

4. What is NOT a concern the author attributes to the process of natural selection?
(a) Achieving the goals should bring pleasure.
(b) There should be more of a focus on the immediate pleasure than on the way it will soon dissipate.
(c) The pleasure associated with the goals should not last forever.
(d) Aesthetic considerations.

5. What is the English translation of the word dukkha?
(a) Kindness.
(b) Peace.
(c) Pain.
(d) Suffering.

6. In most people, the left hemisphere of the brain controls what?
(a) Emotions.
(b) Language.
(c) Affection.
(d) Decision-making.

7. In what state did the author attend his very first silent meditation retreat?
(a) Washington.
(b) Virginia.
(c) California.
(d) Massachusetts.

8. Though the author admits that there are paradoxes within Buddhism, he says that there are also paradoxes within which branch of science?
(a) Forensics.
(b) Geology.
(c) Biology.
(d) Physics.

9. The author states that when the Buddhist techniques work, a person receives not just happiness, but what other element?
(a) Improved health.
(b) Clarity of vision.
(c) Tranquility.
(d) A youthful smile.

10. The author suggests that the reader check out the enlightenment scene in which film in order to get an idea of the vibrancy of the experience?
(a) Holy Smoke.
(b) Kundun.
(c) Shaolin.
(d) Little Buddha.

11. What is the title of Chapter 3 of Buddhism is True?
(a) When Are Feelings Illusions.
(b) Your CEO is MIA.
(c) Nirvana in a Nutshell.
(d) Like, Wow, Everything is One.

12. When ancient Buddhist writings mention the term sati, what does the word mean in English?
(a) Stillness.
(b) Tranquility.
(c) Peace.
(d) Mindfulness.

13. The author uses the example of his childhood experiences with the Tooth Fairy in order to demonstrate what concept?
(a) Intertemporal reality.
(b) Delusion.
(c) Hyperbole.
(d) Nirvana.

14. What is NOT a feeling listed by the author as one that fosters "wars and atrocities" (4)?
(a) Sloth.
(b) Despair.
(c) Hatred.
(d) Greed.

15. The author states that natural selection does not want people to be happy, but instead wants them to be what?
(a) Healthy.
(b) Compassionate.
(c) Tenacious.
(d) Productive.

Short Answer Questions

1. The idea within vipassana meditation is to see the true nature of what?

2. What is the meaning of the term metta?

3. What happened when the author analyzed closely his feelings before his speech at Poptech?

4. Who is the author of the book called What the Buddah Taught?

5. What is the English translation of the title of the Buddhist text called the Satipatthana Sutta?

(see the answer keys)

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