Question 1

A highly witty play filled with double meanings is meant to appeal to an audience that is

Accepted Answer

A highly witty play filled with double meanings would appeal to a figuratist audience, as they appreciate and understand figurative language and nuanced meanings.

Question 2

When it comes to critical thinking, the Dionysian refers to

Accepted Answer

The Dionysian refers to emotional or intuitive responses, as opposed to the Apollonian, which is associated with reason and logic.

Question 3

Critical thinking about adaptions of Miss Saigon, which reimagines Madame Butterfly, might reasonably lead us to understand how

Accepted Answer

Adaptations like Miss Saigon reimagine original works like Madame Butterfly to fit changing historical contexts and circumstances, making them relevant to contemporary audiences.

Question 4

As an act of critical thinking, rationalizing is a

Accepted Answer

Rationalizing is considered a bad exercise because it often involves justifying or making excuses for uncomfortable events, which can prevent individuals from addressing the underlying issues or accepting reality.

Question 5

When it comes to critical thinking, the Apollonian refers to

Accepted Answer

The Apollonian refers to reasoned, rational, coherent thought, as opposed to the Dionysian, which is more about emotional or intuitive responses.

Question 6

If someone uses features such as rhyme and meter to form an understanding of Wordsworth's "The world is too much with us," that person is exercising which step in the process of forming a personal critical response?

Accepted Answer

The answer of If someone uses features such as rhyme...

Question 7

Pauline Kael's scathing review of The Sound of Music, which led to her firing, illustrates what important principle for critics?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Pauline Kael's scathing review of The Sound...

Question 8

Critical thinking about "popcorn fun" would lead one to understand that

Accepted Answer

Critical thinking about "popcorn fun" suggests that even seemingly trivial or entertaining materials can offer deeper insights or showcase creativity, challenging the notion that only serious art is worthy of examination.

Question 9

Sympathizing with characters and being absorbed in the action are characteristics of

Accepted Answer

Empathy involves understanding and sharing the feelings of others, which includes sympathizing with characters and being absorbed in their experiences and actions.

Question 10

According to the chapter, the first step to solving a problem is determining

Accepted Answer

The first step in problem-solving is to recognize and acknowledge that a problem exists.

Question 11

The second personal critical response we should have on seeing an unfamiliar or off-putting kind of art should be

Accepted Answer

The answer of The second personal critical response we should...

Question 12

The hypothetical problem of the missing dollar helps us

Accepted Answer

The answer of The hypothetical problem of the missing dollar...

Question 13

The Wordsworth poem that begins "The world is too much with us, late and soon/Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers" is a personal, critical response to the idea of

Accepted Answer

The poem criticizes the materialistic and consumer-driven society that prioritizes financial gain over nature and spiritual well-being.

Question 14

The role of the professional critic is to:

Accepted Answer

A professional critic's role is to review or evaluate art, providing their opinions and insights on the work.

Question 15

According to Nietzsche, a stage production of the Greek tragedy The Oresteia should

Accepted Answer

Nietzsche believed that Greek tragedy should engage the audience emotionally, allowing them to experience the horror and catharsis of the play, aligning with his views on the Dionysian aspect of art.

Question 16

A monstrous central figure such as Walter White from the TV series Breaking Bad is designed ultimately to stimulate

Accepted Answer

The answer of A monstrous central figure such as Walter...

Question 17

Bertold Brecht's alienation effect was designed so that theater audiences could

Accepted Answer

Brecht's alienation effect aimed to prevent the audience from becoming emotionally absorbed in the play, encouraging them to critically engage with the social and political messages instead.

Question 18

Which of the following is a major component of exercising one's critical mind?

Accepted Answer

Challenging assumptions is a key aspect of critical thinking, as it involves questioning and evaluating the validity of underlying beliefs and premises.

Question 19

A person who prefers prepackaged genre films such as romance or horror can be considered a(n)

Accepted Answer

A literalist is someone who prefers straightforward, conventional, and predictable content, which aligns with the nature of prepackaged genre films.

Question 20

A work that presents a kind character stricken with a disease stimulates

Accepted Answer

A kind character with a disease often evokes empathy, as readers or viewers tend to feel compassion and understanding for the character's suffering.

Quiz 2: The Humanities and Critical Thinking