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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. According to Irving, Emily's second-grade performance was based on which war?

2. In Chapter 20: My Robin Hood Syndrome, Irving discusses her first project with which type of company?

3. The subtitle of Chapter 33: Perception and Fear states, "The firt tiime I saw myself as white and" (199) what?

4. Which city does Irving use in Chapter 21: Straddling Two Worlds to stand in for an almost-exclusively white location?

5. Irving describes the course about race she took at Wheelock as having what effect on her?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what way does Irving indicate in Chapter 28: I Am the Elephant that growth can be painful?

2. What major goal discussed in Chapter 22: did it take Irving years to accomplish?

3. In what way does Irving link the themes of oppression and brutality within Chapter 34: Becomiing Multicultural?

4. In what way does the theme of isolation arise within Chapter 25: Belonging?

5. How does Irving go about outlining the privilege inherent in her own life?

6. How does Irving describe the experience of letting go of her self-image in Chapter 32: Getting Over Myself?

7. How did Irving first become familiar with the city of Cambridge and for how many years had she lived there at the time of her writing?

8. What proactive step did Irving take along with another mother at her daughter's preschool?

9. What conclusions did Irving draw after seeing the results of the Magic Step activity?

10. Provide evidence for the conclusion that Irving wants to provide the reader of Waking Up White with practical advice.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Irving begins the text with a quote by James Baldwin. Explain how this choice of epigraph relates to the text and how it reflects one of its major themes.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Irving’s use of metaphor, simile, imagery, and other literary devices as a means to send particular thematic messages within the narrative of Waking Up White.

Essay Topic 3

What is Irving's message regarding the difference between awareness and activism and how does Irving get this message across to the reader?

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