Maybe they do it when we're drifting or something. Mine rarely asked me to do things but the one time that stands out for me I had to think about "humiliation" one week, she just casually suggests this as I'm walking out the door and, of course, I was humiliated that week! (Don't think of pink elephants :-) That ended well but then she did the "disappointment" word for a week. Didn't pick "happiness" or something pleasant, oh, no :-) At least I learned a lot and can tell various feelings apart and figure out where they come from, etc.

Maybe look at the homework and figure out what you think they're trying to do and what you want and change it so you do it in a way that works for you? They can't flunk you if you don't do it "right"/their way.