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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. Which of the women adopted a daughter named Sarah late in life?

2. Which of the following topics most interested Mary Bateson's father in his writing?

3. What does it mean to be a "conserver"?

4. Which of the women in the book regularly starts their evening meals with an Armenian prayer?

5. Which of the following statements best describes the five women profiled in this book?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. In what ways does Johnnetta's home define her life?

3. Why didn't Mary ever become president of Amherst University?

4. How does Mary feel about skepticism?

5. What type of food did Mary cook for Barkev when they were first married?

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

7. What is the main difference between men and women in regards to "multiple lives"?

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

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

10. In what way does Ellen's home define her life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

At the end of the book, Mary has almost completely changed her attitude about caregiving and women in the primary role as caregivers. First, describe Mary's attitude about these topics at the opening of the book and compare/contrast that to her attitude at the end of the book. Then, citing specific examples from the text, trace Mary's change in attitude and consciousness based on the knowledge she gained from her interviews with the five women.

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

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.

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