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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In general, the title of Chapter 1, "Black Women - Shaping Feminist Theory," relates to which of the following ideas?
(a) Black women are important in shaping the feminist movement and broadening the previously limited perspectives in feminism.
(b) It doesn't relate to any of the aforementioned ideas.
(c) Black women's lives can serve as raw material for white women when they create feminist theory.
(d) Black women can create their own feminist theory; they do not need to participate in the broader movement.

2. When and where did the author enroll in her first women's studies class?
(a) At UCLA in the late 1960s.
(b) At Brown in the early 1980s.
(c) At Howard in the 1970s.
(d) At Stanford in the 1970s.

3. What do feminists need to consider when examining their beliefs about men?
(a) How lower and working class men and non-white men are also oppressed.
(b) Whether or not men deserve to be included in feminism.
(c) How often men use sexist language.
(d) Whether it is safe to alter their beliefs about men.

4. In Chapter 3, "The Significance of Feminist Movement," the author discusses which of the following themes?
(a) The potential social and political benefits of the feminist movement.
(b) The effects of feminism on foreign policy.
(c) Famous personalities within the feminist movement.
(d) The major shortcomings of the feminist movement.

5. In the Preface to the first edition (1984), what general theme does the author present?
(a) A history of the feminist movement.
(b) The central theory of her work.
(c) Her ideas about high school education for girls.
(d) Her mother's life story.

6. In the Preface to the second edition, what is the first factor considered by black parents when a child is born, according to the author?
(a) Race, then gender.
(b) Gender, then size.
(c) Race, then size.
(d) Gender, then race.

7. In the first chapter, how does the author characterize the perspective of the women involved in the early feminist movement?
(a) They were overly concerned with saving poor women.
(b) Their perspective is difficult to pin down since they were from many different social backgrounds.
(c) They saw all women as oppressed but had no real awareness of the life of a non-white, non-middle class women.
(d) They thought working women were not true feminists.

8. In the author's view, is it valid to define feminism in terms of creating a sense of community?
(a) Yes, this should be part of the universal definition of feminism.
(b) Community is something that all women lack so it is way to define feminism.
(c) She claims that non-white, lower class women, who already have a strong sense of community may not find this definition adequate.
(d) The definition is too vague to be useful.

9. What did these early feminists forget to take into account in their beliefs about men?
(a) Whether men were married or single.
(b) Differences in religion and age.
(c) Differences in age and profession.
(d) Differences in race and class.

10. For the author, what perspective really changed the direction of feminist thought?
(a) Creating women's studies departments in universities.
(b) Looking back at women's history.
(c) Accepting men into the movement.
(d) Looking at the interlocking nature of race, class, and gender.

11. What does the author say about the statement: "I am a feminist"?
(a) She does not think that women want to back up the statement with actions.
(b) She says it may imply a rigid us vs. them mentality or belief system.
(c) She worries that it is not forceful enough.
(d) This statement allows women to feel more empowered and gain more respect.

12. The phrase "the problem that has no name" refers to which of the following issues?
(a) Women's fears of aging.
(b) Women and schizophrenia.
(c) The psychological malaise of all women in American society due to gender roles.
(d) Hating one's family.

13. How does the author feel about defining feminism as enabling total personal freedom?
(a) She sees this as the most favorable definition of feminism.
(b) She sees it as very limiting for women since it is a male-defined model.
(c) She thinks it is immoral.
(d) She finds the definition to vague.

14. In Chapter 1, the author states that feminist theory and the feminist movement were originally shaped by which type of people?
(a) Middle-class women.
(b) Expatriates living abroad.
(c) Working-class women.
(d) Middle-class white women.

15. In the author's view, what three things most determine a woman's destiny?
(a) Her alma mater, her first job, and who she marries.
(b) Her race, her gender, and who she marries.
(c) Gender, race, and class.
(d) Who she marries, her appearance, and her family name.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does the author hold her particular beliefs about prioritizing struggles against different forms of prejudice?

2. How does the author view the concept of personal freedom?

3. In the Preface to the first edition (1984), which two key terms in her analysis does the author introduce?

4. The author opens the Preface to the first edition of the book with a description of which group and its experiences in life?

5. The author expresses how feminism reacts to "a political system of imperialist, white supremacist, capitalist patriarchy;" how does she view the state of our society today?

(see the answer keys)

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