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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. Who wrote the book "Childhood and Society"?

2. How many faculty members worked below Mary at the college where she once worked?

3. Which of the following activities helps Johnnetta deal with her stress?

4. To what food item did Joan compare her first home with Erik?

5. Which woman would Mary most likely call "superwoman"?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do the multiple roles women fill in their daily life affect their self-identity?

2. Historically, what members of society usually take the role of caretakers?

3. What prompted Mary's identity crisis after high school?

4. How is the Project Hope homeless shelter different than the Pine Street Inn?

5. In what way does "The Ode of Imru'u I-Qays" support Mary's arguments about multiple lives?

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

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

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

9. How does Johnnetta feel about the need to divide her time between her private and personal lives?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In chapter seven, Mary Bateson makes the statement that Americans are more comfortable giving things away completely than sharing. What do you think Bateson means by this saying? Do you agree with her? Why or why not? Finally, explain how you think this statement relates to the five women presented in the novel. Does this statement summarize any one woman or relationship in the text? If so, how? Be sure to include examples from the text to help 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

Throughout the book, Bateson gives many different examples of ways that individuals care for themselves and those around them. First, define the three different ways one can act as a caregiver, and give examples from the text to support your definitions. Then, choose one woman from the text and explain why you believe she is the best examples of a well-rounded caregiver. What are the benefits of being a good caregiver? What are the downfalls? Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.

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