Chapter 21 — Quiz
Try the whole quiz before checking the key.
Multiple choice
1. Western education primarily values: - A) absorbing and reproducing the expert's knowledge - B) constructing and defending your own argument - C) memorization above all - D) silent respect for the teacher
2. "Critical thinking" means: - A) criticizing/attacking ideas - B) analyzing, evaluating, and constructing a reasoned position - C) being negative - D) agreeing with the expert
3. In many Western courses, "participation" (speaking in class) is: - A) discouraged - B) often part of your grade - C) irrelevant - D) only for native speakers
4. Silence in a Western classroom is usually read as: - A) respect and attentiveness - B) disengagement, lack of preparation, or not thinking - C) wisdom - D) good manners
5. Disagreeing with the professor (respectfully, with reasons) is: - A) forbidden - B) encouraged and often rewarded - C) grounds for failing - D) disrespectful
6. The Socratic method is: - A) lecturing without interruption - B) teaching by questioning and challenging students' reasoning - C) memorization drills - D) silent reading
7. Office hours are for: - A) the professor's private time only - B) students to come ask questions and get help - C) exams - D) nothing
8. Summarizing the textbook in an "analyze and evaluate" essay usually earns: - A) the top grade - B) a mediocre grade (it shows absorption, not your own argument) - C) extra credit - D) automatic failure
9. A genuine strength international students often bring is: - A) nothing - B) deep foundational mastery / disciplined rigor - C) inability to learn - D) only language skills
10. A flaw of the participation/debate model (Honesty Box) is that it: - A) is perfectly fair - B) favors confident, extroverted, native English speakers - C) helps quiet students most - D) ignores arguments
11. (new) Offering a half-formed idea you're not sure about is: - A) embarrassing and to be avoided - B) welcome — thinking aloud is how the class works - C) against the rules - D) only for native speakers
12. (new) The Western expectation that students evaluate (even disagree with) experts comes from: - A) laziness - B) Enlightenment inquiry and individualism (test authority, reason for yourself) - C) disrespect for teachers - D) nothing in particular
True / False
13. Agreeing with the expert is fine if you can argue why. (True / False)
14. "Critical thinking" requires being negative or oppositional. (True / False)
15. Using office hours signals engagement and is welcomed. (True / False)
16. Your disciplined memorization/mastery is useless in a Western classroom. (True / False)
17. (new) A well-reasoned challenge to a respected theory can earn top marks. (True / False)
Short answer
18. Explain the difference between "summarizing the expert" and "constructing your own argument," and why the second earns more.
19. Give one strategy for participating when speaking up is hard.
20. Name one genuine flaw of the participation/debate model (the Honesty Box).
21. (new) Show how "critical thinking" can agree with a theory, not just attack it.
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Answer Key
- B. 2. B. 3. B. 4. B. 5. B. 6. B. 7. B. 8. B. 9. B. 10. B. 11. B (thinking aloud is welcome). 12. B (Enlightenment + individualism).
- True. 14. False — it's analyzing/evaluating/constructing, which can include agreeing. 15. True. 16. False — foundational mastery is a real strength; pair it with voicing your own argument. 17. True.
- Model: Summarizing reproduces the expert's view (shows you absorbed it); constructing your argument analyzes, evaluates, and defends your own reasoned position. The second earns more because Western education prizes independent thinking ("critical thinking"), not mere reproduction.
- Model (any): prepare a point/question in advance; speak early; use entry phrases ("building on…"); ask a question instead of a statement; use office hours/online forums; talk to the professor about options.
- Model: It favors confident, extroverted, native English speakers — quieter/ESL students can be underrated despite excellent thinking; debate can reward confident talkers over careful, correct ones.
- Model: By defending the theory with fresh reasoning or new evidence — e.g., "Theory X holds even under condition Z, because…" — which evaluates and argues (critical) while concluding in agreement.