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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. Sylvia is frightened by

2. When the Narrator found that the thread was stripped in the chain adjustment, he

3. A supersaturated solution will only crystallize when certain conditions are met unless there is a

4. Doctrinal differences among Taoism, Hinduism, and Buddhism

5. Signs that they were approaching the High Plains included all EXCEPT

Short Essay Questions

1. All through chapter 18, Chris pushes himself to keep climbing and to do it at a fairly good rate even though this was his very first mountain climb or even hike into mountains. What was motivating him and why?

2. What aspects of teaching were frustrating for Phaedrus?

3. How did the mechanics who had worked on the Narrator's motorcycle prove that caring about what you are doing is essential to doing it right?

4. 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.

5. What does the Narrator mean by the term "squareness?"

6. The Narrator talks about the set of boxes which define the components of a motorcycle. If you start at the top with "motorcycle" and work to the next level, you have "components" and "functions;" at the next level "components" are divided into "power assembly" and "running assembly." Where else do we find such hierarchies? Give examples of this pyramidal structure of hierarchical organization charts in business, science, and government. Can you think of others?

7. 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."

8. Why did the thought of teaching Quality seem so confusing, yet so appealing, to him?

9. What are the various symbols of chapter 23 and what do you think they mean?

10. Chapter 30 is a chapter full of defeat: Phaedrus is unburied; the Narrator is on the brink of insanity again; the Narrator has lost touch with Chris; Chris is despondent and frustrated and angry, and Chris is in danger of following in Phaedrus' footsteps into insanity. What glimmer of hope occurs to the Narrator as he tries to deal with Chris' emotions?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What traits does Chris have that were troublesome traits for Phaedrus?

Essay Topic 2

How can technology best be pursued and used to enrich human life rather than degrading humans? Give examples. How can technology be art? Can you think of some examples?

Essay Topic 3

The allegory of a physical mountain for a spiritual one is quite common in religious literature. In what ways can the Narrator's journey to reconnect with himself be compared to climbing a mountain?

(see the answer keys)

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