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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. Which of the following statements best describes the five women profiled in this book?
(a) They are went through periods of disillusionment.
(b) They are all fighters.
(c) All of the answers are true.
(d) They are all idealists.

2. According to Mary, why don't women go home to relax?
(a) Because a home can be confining.
(b) Because they have too many responsibilities at home.
(c) Because they often dislike the company of their families.
(d) Because women are never given the luxury of relaxation.

3. What is the one thing modern day couples need to learn to deal with that couples in the past might not have had to deal with?
(a) Sudden life changes.
(b) Financial instability.
(c) Misbehaving children.
(d) Technological advances.

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

5. Which woman would Mary most likely call "superwoman"?
(a) Alice.
(b) None of the women.
(c) Herself.
(d) Johnnetta.

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. Which of the women identifies herself primarily as a dancer?

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

4. According to Mary, what societal role is care taking usually assigned to?

5. In what way does Mary describe women who are multi-taskers?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Mary feel about skepticism?

2. What is Mary's definition of wisdom?

3. In what ways is leading multiple lives similar to having "heightened wisdom"?

4. In what way does Mary compare caretaking to music?

5. What was Mary Bateson's father's thesis in his writings about ecology?

6. Why did Jon need a blood transfusion when he was young?

7. What does Mary hope to write about in her next book?

8. How did Mary's views about discontinuity change as she completed this book?

9. What does Mary mean when she says that all five of the women in the book are "conservers"?

10. What two metaphors does Mary use to describe her emotions in dealing with the Amherst presidency?

(see the answer keys)

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