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 Chapter 18: Color-Blind, Irving states that she decided early in life that racism was what sort of conversation topic?
(a) Unseemly.
(b) Dangerous.
(c) Boring.
(d) Volatile.

2. Irving states that skin color symbolism plus favoritism plus power equals which element?
(a) Privilege.
(b) Sexism.
(c) Inequity.
(d) Systemic racism.

3. Irving states in Chapter 5: Within the Walls, "If I could turn back time and rewrite the script for those years, my parents would be deft at sharing with me the realities of American history, especially" what?
(a) The Civil War.
(b) The history of slavery.
(c) The civil rights movement.
(d) Reconstruction.

4. Which quality did Irving's father stress above all others throughout his children's childhoods?
(a) Compassion.
(b) Dedication.
(c) Affection.
(d) Honesty.

5. Irving recalls in Chapter 5: Within the Walls that in her childhood world, problems were deemed what?
(a) Incidental.
(b) All-consuming.
(c) Private.
(d) Permanent.

Short Answer Questions

1. Irving writes in Chapter 7: The GI Bill, "The GI Bill is one of the best examples of affirmative action for" (48) whom?

2. In Chapter 7: The GI Bill, Irving uses the bill to underscore "the meaning of" (45) what?

3. What sort of profession did Kenneth Cushner hold when he thought about culture as an iceberg?

4. Irving uses an analogy in Chapter 8: Racial Categories that uses what physical attribute to stand in for race?

5. What was the last name of Irving's ancestor who established New Salem Academy by applying for a land grant?

Short Essay Questions

1. For what reason does Irving use an allusion to the television show I Love Lucy in Chapter 12: Icebergs?

2. Which characteristic did Irving's father stress above all others and why is this fact ironic?

3. How does Irving explain the difference between a mosaic and a melting pot?

4. In what area of the United States and in what kind of dwelling did Irving grow up?

5. What solution does Irving offer for creating a more complete picture of American history?

6. What is the motivation for the dominant culture's stance regarding America as either a melting pot or a mosaic?

7. How does Irving explore the origins of the desirability of white skin in Chapter 8: Racial Categories?

8. In what way does Irving use repetition to underscore the importance of her message in Chapter 14: Zap!?

9. For what purpose does Irving include an allusion to Norman Rockwell in Chapter 2: Family Values?

10. Compare and contrast the answer Irving's mother gave her in Chapter 1: What Wasn't Said with the answer Irving believes should have been delivered.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,019 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample