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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How many faculty members worked below Mary at the college where she once worked?
(a) Eight.
(b) Twelve.
(c) Ten.
(d) Six.

2. Which of the following statements does NOT fit into Mary's definition of wisdom?
(a) It is something you are born with or without.
(b) It is the ability to adapt to new environments.
(c) It can be practiced by everyone, everyday.
(d) It is a survival skill.

3. Which of the following activities helps Johnnetta deal with her stress?
(a) Walking.
(b) Writing.
(c) Reading.
(d) Swimming.

4. Which woman said, "Somebody's got to be the mommy"?
(a) Mary.
(b) Johnnetta.
(c) Joan.
(d) Alice.

5. Why are men often encouraged to remove distractions from their lives?
(a) So they can become experts in their field.
(b) So they can concentrate on one thing at a time.
(c) To ensure maximum financial success.
(d) Because the male brain is wired differently than female brains.

6. What college did Mary once teach at?
(a) Harvard.
(b) Oxford.
(c) Amherst.
(d) Princeton.

7. In which of the following countries did Mary and her husband NEVER live?
(a) France.
(b) The United States.
(c) Philippines.
(d) Iran.

8. After the debacle of her presidency, what did Mary learn was an important element to a happy life?
(a) Naivety.
(b) Strength.
(c) Trust.
(d) Skepticism.

9. Which of the women identifies herself primarily as a dancer?
(a) Johnnetta.
(b) Alice.
(c) Joan.
(d) Mary.

10. Which of the following women lives in Chestnut Hill, in Boston?
(a) Alice.
(b) Mary.
(c) Ellen.
(d) Johnnetta.

11. Which of the following is the theme of the final chapter of "Composing a Life"?
(a) Familial Humanity.
(b) Global Humanity.
(c) Individual Humanity.
(d) Societal Humanity.

12. Which of the following is NOT a sickness Joan's children suffered from when they were young?
(a) Chicken pox.
(b) Measles.
(c) Mumps
(d) Scarlet fever.

13. To what food item did Joan compare her first home with Erik?
(a) A peanut.
(b) A head of lettuce.
(c) An egg.
(d) A loaf of bread.

14. According to Mary, what does a true artist take and turn into a masterpiece?
(a) Beauty.
(b) Pain.
(c) Reality.
(d) Flaws.

15. Why was Mary jealous of her colleagues when she was living in Amherst?
(a) Because they all have happy marriages.
(b) Because they are all able to have children.
(c) Because they could relax at home after work.
(d) Because they all love their jobs.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which word fills in the following sentence from the final chapter in "Composing a Life": All five women live with high levels of _____________?

2. In what country did Mary spend her high school years?

3. What does Mary claim is the result of changing one's identity?

4. In what country was Erik, Joan's husband, born?

5. According to Mary, what is the one thing all five women in the book are striving for?

(see the answer keys)

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