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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. According to Mary, what is the one thing all five women in the book are striving for?
(a) Synergy.
(b) Fame.
(c) Wisdom.
(d) Perfection.

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

3. What do the roadblocks of separation and division hinder a woman from doing?
(a) Making money.
(b) Raising a family.
(c) Respecting religion.
(d) Being creative.

4. To which of the following activities does Mary compare the process of composing an identity?
(a) Learning to iron.
(b) Washing windows.
(c) Baking a pastry.
(d) Folding origami.

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

6. Which woman struggles with sibling rivalry, and dividing her attention among her children?
(a) Alice.
(b) Joan.
(c) Ellen.
(d) Mary.

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

8. According to Mary, when should caretaking be done?
(a) When one has the means to give.
(b) When family members request it.
(c) All the time, every day.
(d) Whenever there is need in the world.

9. Why was Mary given the opportunity to act as president of the college where she worked?
(a) Because her fellow employees voted her in.
(b) Because she was the only person interested in the position.
(c) Because the student body voted her in.
(d) Because the previous president died unexpectedly.

10. What is the key to organizing multiple lives at once?
(a) Flexibility.
(b) Money.
(c) Structure.
(d) Support.

11. In what way does Mary describe women who are multi-taskers?
(a) As people living multiple lives.
(b) As people with split personalities.
(c) As people with unfair burdens.
(d) As people constantly solving puzzles.

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

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

14. In what situation does Mary describe men act as caregivers?
(a) All of the above.
(b) In marriage.
(c) In fatherhood.
(d) In war.

15. What does Mary compare to "an obese bully"?
(a) The Sunday paper.
(b) Her mother-in-law.
(c) An oven.
(d) An unripe avocado.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which of the following women lives in Chestnut Hill, in Boston?

2. How many families does the Project Hope shelter take in at one time?

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

4. In what decade did family shelters first start to pop up in Boston?

5. What is the name of the homeless shelter that provides shelter and food for as many people as possible, every night?

(see the answer keys)

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