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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. What does the term "tweeded" refer to?

2. What subject did Johnnetta study in college?

3. According to Mary, why did many women get married before the intellectual movement?

4. What is necessary to produce a fruitful academic relationship?

5. In what state is Spelman College located?

Short Essay Questions

1. According to Bateson, what role do successful parents play in ensuring, or deterring, the success of their daughters?

2. What happened to Alice after Jack died unexpectedly?

3. What does it mean for one to compose their life as an "emergent vision"?

4. What changed Joan's mind about whether or not she could ever be a successful dancer?

5. 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?

6. How did travel affect Mary Bateson's relationship with her husband, Barkev?

7. In what ways does Bateson claim she puts her husband's needs before her own?

8. How does Mary use the metaphor of a "crazy quilt" to explain society?

9. According to Johnnetta, what does the term "tweeded" mean in academia?

10. According to Bateson, what are the benefits of cooking without a recipe?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout Mary's life, and particularly during her time at Amherst, Mary was subjected to the ugliness in the world, and in people. First, describe why Mary would consider her time at Amherst to be negative. What lessons did Mary learn about herself and society during that time? Then, describe the advice Mary gives to readers who also fear the loss of innocence and disillusionment in the world. Be sure to include examples from the text to strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

In many ways, composing an identity is much like composing a life. Fist, describe the way most individuals compose their own identity. Do people generally have one or many identities? Choose one woman from the book and list the characteristics of her identity or identities. In what ways is does this formation of identity inform the title of the book? In what way is composed identity similar to a composed life? Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 3

When discussing ugliness and pain, Mary often uses the metaphor of art to make her point about "composing a life". First, discuss Mary's analogy of art and masterpieces, particularly in relation to ugliness. Then, explain at least two characteristics one must have in order to be considered an "artist" in their own lives. Finally, explain whether or not you agree with Mary's advice to the "artists" in the world, and why. Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.

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