Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance Test | Mid-Book Test - Medium

Robert M. Pirsig
This set of Lesson Plans consists of approximately 216 pages of tests, essay questions, lessons, and other teaching materials.

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance Test | Mid-Book Test - Medium

Robert M. Pirsig
This set of Lesson Plans consists of approximately 216 pages of tests, essay questions, lessons, and other teaching materials.
Buy the Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance Lesson Plans
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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. The building where Phaedrus taught was
(a) red brick with pillars.
(b) granite with arches.
(c) dark brown brick with gables.
(d) yellow brick with framing timbers.

2. The Narrator makes four observations about his lists of motorcycle parts. Which of the following is NOT one of those observations?
(a) The motorcycle is nearly impossible to understand by lists unless you already know how one works.
(b) There are no value judgments.
(c) The rider or operator is missing.
(d) The observer is missing.

3. The view John and Sylvia have of technology is
(a) that it is a necessary evil, but they can overcome it.
(b) that it is a death force that may control them.
(c) that it is a nuisance to be endured.
(d) that it should be pursued to enrich human life.

4. Phaedrus served in the
(a) Falkland Skirmish.
(b) Vietnam War.
(c) Cuban Crisis.
(d) Korean Conflict.

5. The Narrator does not want to go faster than
(a) fifty miles per hour.
(b) sixty-five miles per hour.
(c) sixty miles per hour.
(d) forty-five miles per hour.

Short Answer Questions

1. Herried is designated a Western town by the Narrator because

2. The theoretic component of man's existence corresponds to all EXCEPT

3. The real university according to Phaedrus

4. Doctrinal differences among Taoism, Hinduism, and Buddhism

5. Phaedrus did not like Yellowstone Park because

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain one of his more radical teaching techniques.

2. The Narrator says: "If you want to build a factory, or fix a motorcycle, or set a nation right without getting stuck, then classical, structured, dualistic subject-object knowledge, although necessary, isn't enough." What does he mean?

3. How do we know that the Narrator has been on this road, in this town, or at this motel before?

4. The Narrator says that the ghost Phaedrus pursued appeared incoherent and meaningless, causing the most normal of everyday acts to seem slightly mad. What everyday assumptions and purposes caused this?

5. Explain what is meant by "Peace of mind produces right values which produce right thoughts which produce right actions which produce work that is inspiring in its completeness with nature and the human mind."

6. How does the Narrator show that Phaedrus is becoming more and more mentally unbalanced (insane)? Trace some of the ideas and words that help us understand that he is losing touch with reality and thinks he is a type of god.

7. The breakthrough of blue sky allows the Narrator and Chris to see the top of the ridge they are climbing. At the same time, the Narrator seems to reach a breakthrough in his Chautauqua. What did Phaedrus realize about Quality that was such a breakthrough?

8. The book has an Afterword (chapter 33). In it the author tells how Chris was brutally murdered at age 22 and that the author now has a young daughter. How has she helped to put his life "back in perspective again"? What is that perspective? (refer to chapters 24 and 25 also)

9. What evidence is there that the Sutherlands and the Narrator disagree about technology?

10. No two motorcycle manufacturers split up the motorcycle parts in the same way. What did the Narrator mean by this? The Narrator talks about the knife they use to split up the parts and then talks about how Phaedrus used the knife creatively, yet analytically. To what do you think the Narrator is alluding to?

(see the answer keys)

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