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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 "The Vitals of History," what does Wilkerson compare an honest and rigorous study of history to?
(a) An archaeologist uncovering artifacts.
(b) A doctor taking a patient history.
(c) A child learning a new language.
(d) A mechanic using a diagnostic computer.

2. In "Chapter Twelve: A Scapegoat to Bear the Sins of the World," what does Wilkerson say Austin police initially said about the bomb-related death of Stephan House?
(a) That it was probably the work of a serial bomber.
(b) That it was likely a hate crime.
(c) That House was the probable suspect in a string of bombings.
(d) It might be drug-related, or House might have accidentally blown himself up.

3. In "Chapter Fourteen: The Intrusion of Caste in Everyday Life," Wilkerson relays the story of a Black woman who visits a new white neighbor. What is the white neighbor's response?
(a) He assumes that she works for the dry cleaners he is expecting to pick up his clothing.
(b) He calls for his wife, because he assumes that she is there to apply for their nanny position.
(c) He calls the police and reports and intruder in his home.
(d) He assumes that she is trying to steal the packages that he has on his porch.

4. In "Chapter Twenty-Six: Turning Point and the Resurgence of Caste," Wilkerson says that Clinton might have suffered from the "Bradley Effect." What does this mean?
(a) During relatively good economic times voters are more likely to vote for conservative candidates.
(b) Because of social stigma around Trump, voters told people they were going to vote for Clinton but actually voted for Trump.
(c) Polls tend to under-represent older white voters in agricultural states.
(d) White women did not support Clinton because their primary loyalty was to their caste.

5. On page 68 of "Chapter Six: The Measure of Humanity," what does Wilkerson say is "one of the most contentious and misunderstood" words in American culture?
(a) Caste.
(b) Race.
(c) Discrimination.
(d) Racism.

Short Answer Questions

1. In "Chapter Six: The Measure of Humanity," what does Wilkerson say we are doing when we "see" race?

2. In what year did Alabama repeal its law against interracial marriage?

3. In "Chapter Eleven: Dominant Group Status Threat and the Precarity of the Highest Rung," what does Wilkerson argue the lowest-status Whites have been given in the place of real security and opportunity?

4. In "A Long-Running Play and the Emergence of Caste in America," what does the Nigerian playwright tell Wilkerson about Blacks in Africa?

5. In "Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Symbols of Caste," Wilkerson says that the tarp-covered statue looks like "a giant chifforobe" (334). What is a "chifforobe"?

(see the answer key)

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