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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. Within what type of paradigm does America currrently operate?

2. Irving reports that she finally came to undersand the adage, "You can only change" (208) what?

3. Which city does Irving use as an example of relative diversity in Chapter 21: Straddling Two Worlds?

4. What event does Irving use as a means of illustrating the lack of a level playing field in America?

5. The activity at the end of Chapter 26: Surviving and Thriving asks the reader to think about a time when they were treated in what manner?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain the concept of dysfunctional rescuing.

2. What major mistake does Irving consider herself to have made during her project meant to serve inner city youth?

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

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

5. What did Irving learn from her experience with the mirror one year into her "waking-up process" (199)?

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

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

8. What alternative to the superior/inferior paradigm does Irving suggest in Chapter 35: If Only You'd Be More Like Me?

9. For how many years had Irving been associated with the preschool when she took a proactive step to address inequity? Why is this fact significant?

10. What does Irving mean in Chapter 36: The Dominant White Culture when she writes, "I never felt white; I just felt like Debby" (212)?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the messages sent about the theme of appearance versus reality within Waking Up White.

Essay Topic 2

What ultimate message is Irving sending about the nature and value of continually examining one’s own thought patterns and behaviors?

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay that discusses the symbolism of the cover art chosen for Waking Up White.

(see the answer keys)

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