View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. The author repeatedly refers to the mental modules as temporarily taking what action against the focus of the mind?

2. What type of bird was rated the most highly in the study introduced by the author under the heading "Infiltration of Perception by Feeling" (159)?

3. Which of the following feelings is the most often studied in connection with mental modules?

4. The author argues that for the average human, what type of perception is an impossible task to achieve?

5. What does the lizard represent at the meditation retreat attended by the author?

Short Essay Questions

1. Discuss the author's perspective of how indulging one's craving once can lead to future indulgences?

2. What is the purpose for observing one's own thoughts within a meditation session?

3. How does the author characterize the emotion of jealousy?

4. What does the author mean when he claims that humans are essentialists?

5. What is the significance of the author's anecdote about the sound of a buzz saw?

6. What is the significance of the author's discussion of the Capgras delusion?

7. What is one method the author suggests for a way to observe one's thoughts objectively?

8. Discuss an instance when the author points out a potential pitfall of a regular meditation practice.

9. How does the author characterize the difference between tribal psychology and general psychology?

10. What is the author's message about the intertemporal utility function and its relationship to the permanence of the self?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What message is Robert Wright's book Buddhism is True sending regarding the source of human flaws and unhappiness?

Essay Topic 2

How does the author use sensory details in order to paint a vivid portrait of the historical events he depicts within the book? Discuss at least two scenes that include extensive use of sensory details and pull quotes from these scenes to support your claim.

Essay Topic 3

Read the List of Buddhist Truths included in the back of Robert Wright's book Buddhism is True. Write an essay explaining the connection between one of the Buddhist Truths and an example or anecdote provided by the author within the text.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,286 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample