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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Section 6: "Part Six: Backlash".

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In "Chapter Twenty-One: The German Girl with the Dark, Wavy Hair," what point does Wilkerson make about the relationship of the loss of the Jewish population and the chapter's titular story?
(a) Once the Jews were gone, it became clear that the anxiety Germans felt had nothing to do with the Jews.
(b) The collective narcissism of Germans needed a new focus in the absence of the Jewish population.
(c) Once Jews were gone, Germans looked for other scapegoats.
(d) The Jewish community had acted as a moderating force; in its absence, Germans began to turn on one another.

2. In "Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Symbols of Caste," about how many Confederate monuments does Wilkerson say exist in the modern United States?
(a) 700.
(b) 130.
(c) 300.
(d) 1,700.

3. To whom is Wilkerson referring on page 4 when she describes someone as "a no-nonsense national figure overqualified by some estimates"?
(a) Bernie Sanders.
(b) Donald Trump.
(c) Hillary Clinton.
(d) Barack Obama.

4. In "Pillar Number Eight: Inherent Superiority versus Inherent Inferiority," what is Wilkerson's central claim?
(a) That the caste system depends on all members of the lowest caste being treated as inferior to all members of the highest caste.
(b) That even ordinary events like getting onto a bus reflect the premise that Blacks are inferior.
(c) That Black Americans have had to learn an elaborate performance of inferiority.
(d) That American Blacks have historically been treated like animals.

5. In "Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Price We Pay for a Caste System," what is the anecdote about physicist Lean Lederman intended to illustrate?
(a) Even in modern times it is nearly impossible for Black scientists to achieve recognition for their work.
(b) The United States devotes relatively few resources to the well-being of its citizens.
(c) Black Americans are still discriminated against by the health-care system.
(d) White Americans are often unaware of the challenges faced by Black Americans.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the best definition of "endogamy" as used in "The Third Pillar: Endogamy and the Control of Marriage and Mating"?

2. On page 15, Wilkerson says of the old house that "whatever is lurking will fester." What is especially apt about her choice of the word "fester"?

3. What departure from legal precedent was made in the Virginia Assembly's decision that the children of enslaved women should also be considered slaves?

4. In "Chapter Fifteen: The Urgent Necessity of a Bottom Rung," what does Wilkerson say is the "greatest threat to a caste system" (224)?

5. In "Chapter Fifteen: The Urgent Necessity of a Bottom Rung," how did the incident at People's Grocery begin?

(see the answer key)

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