Characters & People
Who gives the homeless man a warm roll?
A. The restaurant owner
B. The woman with the baby
C. A police officer
D. A barista
B. The woman with the baby
Where does the essay take place?
A. Boston
B. Chicago
C. New York City
D. Philadelphia
C. New York City
What major idea does Ascher question throughout the essay?
A. Honesty
B. Compassion
C. Justice
D. Independence
B. Compassion
The homeless man reminds people of human:
A. Anger
B. Strength
C. Wealth
D. Vulnerability
D. Vulnerability
Ascher suggests compassion might be:
A. Inherited
B. Learned behavior
C. Accidental
D. Forced
B. Learned behavior
Who is described as “the man with the shopping bag”?
A. A tourist
B. A delivery worker
C. A homeless man
D. A neighbor
C. A homeless man
Where is the homeless man fed soup?
A. A diner
B. A French restaurant
C. A shelter
D. A church
B. A French restaurant
What emotion does Ascher suggest might motivate compassion?
A. Joy
B. Fear
C. Pride
D. Guilt
B. Fear
Giving a warm roll is compared to:
A. A business deal
B. A mother comforting a child
C. A handshake
D. A warning
B. A mother comforting a child
Compassion may grow when suffering becomes:
A. Invisible
B. Acceptable
C. Familiar
D. Avoided
C. Familiar
Who watches the homeless man eat soup in the doorway?
A. A customer
B. The restaurant owner
C. A passerby
D. The chef
B. The restaurant owner
Where does the woman with the baby encounter the homeless man?
A. A grocery store
B. A subway
C. A bakery
D. A pharmacy
C. A bakery
Ascher suggests compassion might be more about this than charity:
A. Entertainment
B. Habit
C. Self-protection
D. Law
C. Self-protection
The restaurant’s elegance contrasts with the man’s:
A. Hunger
B. Poverty
C. Clothing
D. Silence
B. Poverty
What moral quality does Ascher link to compassion?
A. Jealousy
B. Empathy
C. Strength
D. Humor
B. Empathy
Who is contrasted with moments of compassion in the essay?
A. Teachers
B. Tourists
C. Commuters
D. Police
C. Commuters
Which condition may help people feel compassion?
A. Heat
B. Rain
C. Cold
D. Fog
C. Cold
Helping others sometimes gives people a sense of:
A. Power
B. Victory
C. Comfort
D. Freedom
C. Comfort
Kind gestures are compared to:
A. A burst of sunlight
B. Rainstorms
C. Shadows
D. Wind
A. A burst of sunlight
Compassion grows when people repeatedly witness:
A. Success
B. Human suffering
C. Crowds
D. Wealth
B. Human suffering
Whose reaction causes the author to question why we show compassion?
A. The chef
B. The man with the shopping bag
C. The woman with the baby
D. A taxi driver
C. The woman with the baby
Why is the homeless man allowed to stand in the restaurant doorway?
A. He knows the owner
B. The weather is harsh
C. He works there
D. He asked permission
B. The weather is harsh
Ascher compares compassion to a psychological concept involving repeated exposure.
A. Conditioning
B. Meditation
C. Reflection
D. Projection
A. Conditioning
The interaction between the man and restaurant owner represents:
A. Wealth and fame
B. Giver vs. receiver
C. Teacher vs. student
D. Parent vs. child
B. Giver vs. receiver
Ascher believes compassion is shown through:
A. Thoughts
B. Opinions
C. Looks
D. Actions
D. Actions