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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Section 5: "Part Five: The Consequences of Caste".

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In "Chapter Twenty: The Inevitable Narcissism of Caste," what is the rhetorical purpose of Wilkerson's anecdote about speaking with her colleague about the difficulty of managing her disabled mother's care?
(a) It draws a parallel between the Indian and American systems that supports Wilkerson's general point that America has a caste system.
(b) It is an example of the distaste the dominant caste feels about being compared to members of the lowest caste.
(c) It establishes Wilkerson's credibility to discuss the topic of collective narcissism.
(d) It offers the reader a humorous release of tension between two upsetting passages.

2. In "Pillar Number Five: Occupational Hierarchy: The Jatis and the Mudsill," what is the rhetorical purpose of including information about Hammond's nieces?
(a) It clarifies the relationship of the Hammond quotes to Wilkerson's claims.
(b) It impeaches Hammond's character.
(c) It demonstrates the subordinate role of women in America.
(d) It supports Wilkerson's point about the hypocrisy of the upper caste.

3. In "The Third Pillar: Endogamy and the Control of Marriage and Mating," what does Wilkerson imply was the reason for the prosecution of Hugh Davis?
(a) Very few white men had previously admitted to relationships with Black women.
(b) The Black woman in the relationship was already married.
(c) Davis treated his Black partner as an equal.
(d) Davis raped a Black woman.

4. On page 11, what does Wilkerson indicate the term "evangelical voters" is code for?
(a) Bible Belt.
(b) Working class.
(c) White.
(d) Rural.

5. On page 283 of "Chapter Twenty-Two: The Stockholm Syndrome and the Survival of the Subordinate Class," what does Wilkerson quote anthropologist Edmund Leach as saying about the lowest caste in India?
(a) "Knowledge without wisdom is adequate for the powerful."
(b) "People embrace narratives about forgiveness."
(c) "It is a feeling of danger."
(d) "The first moral duty is resignation and acceptance."

Short Answer Questions

1. In "Chapter Six: The Measure of Humanity," what reason does Wilkerson give for most people's participation in the American caste system?

2. At what famous Alabama bridge did the police violently attack peaceful protesters on their way to Montgomery?

3. How many American states had laws officially prohibiting marriage between Blacks and whites?

4. In "Chapter Twenty-Three: Shock Troops on the Borders of Hierarchy," Wilkerson explains a complicated "solution" to a problem presented by free Black passengers on steamboats of the nineeenth century. What was this problem?

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

(see the answer key)

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