View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. What are some of the biggest challenges to sisterhood?
(a) Racism, classism, sexism, and heterosexism.
(b) There used to be challenges but they have lessened.
(c) Unfair business practices.
(d) Global warming, politics, and religion.

3. How does the author characterize black women's future role in the feminist movement?
(a) She believes that black women have an important role to play in deepening and broadening the movement.
(b) She believes that they will no longer need feminism.
(c) She thinks that they would be better off starting their own movement.
(d) She describes their future role along the lines of a hostile takeover.

4. In Chapter 1, what key term does the author use to talk about the "racial politic" in the U.S.?
(a) White supremacy.
(b) White privilege.
(c) Regression.
(d) Racial ignorance.

5. What name did early feminists use to describe radical, or revolutionary, feminists?
(a) Naive.
(b) Sisters.
(c) Traitors.
(d) Spoilers.

Short Answer Questions

1. What was the shared feeling that helped define sisterhood in the early years of the movement, according to the author?

2. Which elements define the ideal family for the author?

3. In the author's view, what three things most determine a woman's destiny?

4. Were there ever alternate reactions to black women's efforts to participate in the early feminist movement, and if so what were they?

5. Why does the author spend time talking about the relationship between feminism and the family?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the author feel about including men in the feminist movement?

2. In Chapter Four, does the author agree with early feminist definitions of sisterhood?

3. In the 2000 Preface is the author's attitude towards change in the feminist movement positive or negative, and what examples does she give?

4. How are traditional patriarchal concepts of gender related to violence against women?

5. Why is educating women a "feminist agenda," as the title to Chapter Eight suggests?

6. Does the author offer any ideas about how to create sisterhood?

7. What is the author's view of feminism as a social movement in the Preface to the First Edition (1984)? What kind of movement does it need to be and why?

8. Is there a note of caution in the author's tone regarding the extent to which the system of power has actually changed? Where?

9. Why can total change be a difficult and uncomfortable process, according to the author?

10. What does the author say about feminist writer Betty Friedan's book The Feminine Mystique?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 898 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample