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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In "Chapter Eleven: Dominant Group Status Threat and the Precarity of the Highest Rung," what is one factor Wilkerson points to as an explanation for "dominant group status threat" in modern America?
(a) Rapidly rising income among Black Americans.
(b) Misinformation and propaganda spread via the Internet.
(c) Increased numbers of non-white immigrants.
(d) A decline in civil behavior in public spaces.

2. 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.

3. What prejudice does Tushar, from the London conference in "Chapter Ten: Central Miscasting," say exists inside Indian castes?
(a) Prejudice based on wealth.
(b) Prejudice based on education.
(c) Prejudice based on skin color.
(d) Prejudice based on career achievements.

4. On page 287 of "Chapter Twenty-Two: The Stockholm Syndrome and the Survival of the Subordinate Class," what does Wilkerson blame on "the latitude granted these white saviors...[and] the collective desire to solve tribal wounds with superficial gestures of grace from the wounded"?
(a) The failure of society to see the truth of Devonte Hart's situation.
(b) The light sentence given to the white officer who shot a man who was just watching TV in his own apartment.
(c) The 2015 Charleston church massacre.
(d) The shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson.

5. Just before the 2008 election, what mailing did many Americans receive that Wilkerson, in "Chapter Twenty-Five: A Change in the Script," says became an "inadvertent leaflet in favor of the Democrat" (312)?
(a) A solicitation for contributions by John McCain.
(b) Their quarterly statements for their retirement accounts.
(c) Notifications of layoffs and downsizing at their employers.
(d) An openly racist cartoon paid for by a Republican PAC.

Short Answer Questions

1. In "Chapter Nineteen: The Euphoria of Hate," what film footage does Wilkerson describe?

2. In "Chapter Twenty-Six: Turning Point and the Resurgence of Caste," what does Wilkerson say caused analysts to be taken by surprise by Trump's victory?

3. In "Chapter Twenty-Two: The Stockholm Syndrome and the Survival of the Subordinate Class," Wilkerson says that marginalized people have to learn the "idiosyncrasies" of the ruling class. In this content, what is the best definition of "idiosyncrasy"?

4. In "Chapter Eleven: Dominant Group Status Threat and the Precarity of the Highest Rung," Wilkerson discusses biases that occur without thought. What is this kind of bias called?

5. In "Chapter Twenty-Six: Turning Point and the Resurgence of Caste," what does Wilkerson tell Gwen Ifill she thinks is behind Trump's popularity?

Short Essay Questions

1. In "Chapter Sixteen: Last Place Anxiety: Packed in a Flooding Basement," what is the "crabs in a barrel" phenomenon Wilkerson discusses, and what additional way to look at the same situation does she propose?

2. How does Wilkerson explain the greater scrutiny America focuses on Democrats in "Chapter Twenty-Six: Turning Point and the Resurgence of Caste"?

3. What principle is Wilkerson trying to illustrate with her personal anecdotes about flying first class in "Chapter Twenty-Three: Shock Troops on the Borders of Hierarchy"?

4. In "Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Symbols of Caste," why does Wilkerson devote so much space to a discussion of Robert E. Lee's treatment of people he held as slaves?

5. In "Chapter Fourteen: The Intrusion of Caste in Everyday Life," what is the rhetorical purpose of including the anecdote about the father and toddler in the restaurant?

6. In"Chapter Twenty: The Inevitable Narcissism of Caste," to what does Wilkerson compare the American habit of asking where people's families are from, and why?

7. In "Chapter Fifteen: The Urgent Necessity of a Bottom Rung," what historical discussion of the French treatment of Black American soldiers does Wilkerson relate?

8. Describe the "Brown Eyes/Blue Eyes" experiment and its results.

9. Explain what Wilkerson finds particularly abhorrent about the film clip of Hitler that she describes in "Chapter Nineteen: The Euphoria of Hate."

10. When an Indian academic asks Wilkerson, in "Central Miscasting," what her position is in the American caste system, what does she tell him, and why?

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