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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. At which college does Johnnetta teach?

2. What subject does Mary tackle with her metaphor of a "crazy quilt"?

3. Which of the following nation did many of the immigrants Mary's mother worked with com from?

4. What is the only way an asymmetrical relationship to work?

5. Which of the following does Bateson cherish above all else?

Short Essay Questions

1. What two significant events happened when "The Cosby Show" came to film at Spelman University where Johnnetta works?

2. According to Bateson, how do today's values for a "good life" differ from traditional values?

3. What major breakthrough did Ellen make in her field of psychology?

4. What is the most significant memory Alice has of her childhood in Rumania?

5. How do Joan and Erik collaborate on each other's professional projects?

6. According to Mary, why did so many male-female relationships in the past fail?

7. According to Bateson, what is the main struggle of minority children living in America?

8. What struggles did Mary encounter when interviewing her four friends for this book?

9. How did Johnnetta's experiences in Cuba change her opinion of race and society?

10. What does it mean to Mary to live in "a life in flux", and how did this affect her choosing of which women would appear in the book?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In chapter four, Bateson takes an aside to explain what she thinks about society, specifically in regards to culture in society. First, describe how Bateson believes cultures function within society. Historically speaking, how does society respond to culture? What does Bateson believe is the next big change societies need to make to truly create a "crazy quilt"? Then, choose one of the women in the text and describe how their work - either professionally or personally - has striven to alter the way culture is viewed in society. Be sure to include examples from the text to strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

In what ways is wisdom gained through life? Mary has very specific ideas about how one becomes "wise". Explain those ideas in a brief essay using one of the women in the book as an example. What path did this woman take in her pursuit of wisdom? What different types of wisdom did she gain? Do you think all her efforts were consciously in the pursuit of wisdom? How can you tell? Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 3

Food becomes an important centerpiece for Mary to explore the roles of women in the household. First, describe the relationship Mary has to food, particularly the preparation of food, and compare that to the relationship one other woman in the book has with food. How does Mary think food affects the role of women in the household, and how does she think food should be represented in our western culture? Do you agree with Mary's arguments? Why or why not? Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.

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