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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 disorder does the author say makes it difficult for him to meditate?
(a) Autism.
(b) Attention deficit disorder.
(c) Clinical depression.
(d) Asperger's syndrome.

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

3. The Buddha stated that what emotion has a "poisoned root and honeyed tip" (30)?
(a) Jealousy.
(b) Pride.
(c) Ecstasy.
(d) Anger.

4. On what object does the author say people should place themselves during meditation?
(a) A mat.
(b) A pillow.
(c) A cushion.
(d) A bare floor.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter associated with what element?

2. What is the one thing that the author says natural selection "cares about" (3)?

3. The author states that "coherence of motivation, though a desirable quality in a friend or collaborator, isn't by itself" (82) what?

4. The author states that natural selection does not want people to be happy, but instead wants them to be what?

5. Which character in the movie referred to in the chapter entitled "Take the Red Pill" realizes that his life has actually been an extended hallucination?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are the differences between concentration meditation and mindfulness meditation?

2. How does the author use the discussion of pain to illustrate his points about not-self?

3. What effect is the author's choice of the word "delusions" intended to have on the reader?

4. What is the author's analysis of the human fear of public speaking?

5. How does the author use the example of bodily fluids in order to demonstrate the differences between Western Buddhism and Traditional Buddhism?

6. Discuss the tendency of humans to engage in self-inflation.

7. What does the author say about his own level of enlightenment and why?

8. What is witness consciousness, according to the author?

9. Discuss the author's discussion of a wandering mind.

10. For what purpose does the author begin the entire narrative with a question?

(see the answer keys)

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