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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. Irving recounts in Chapter 28: I Am the Elephant a conversation she had with her friend Kathy, who hails from which country?

2. What type of event did Irving attend that purported to be "by and for people of color" (141)?

3. 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?

4. In which year did Irving choose a preschool for her eldest daughter?

5. The fruit from which kind of tree is used in a traditional practice described by Irving?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

2. 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?

3. What is the symbolism of the calabash fruit, as discussed in Chapter 33: Perception and Fear?

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

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

6. Explain the concept of dysfunctional rescuing.

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

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

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

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

Examine the role of family within the text of Waking Up White. What types of family relationships are represented and how does Irving use their variety to inform many of the work's themes?

Essay Topic 2

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

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay examining how the text portrays the American Dream. Is there one American Dream or are there many different ones, according to Irving? What is the text saying about the American dream in the 21st century?

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