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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. In which publication did an article about the shaping of the mind appear, according to Irving?

2. For what position did Irving first apply within the school system, as reported in Chapter 25: Belonging?

3. Irving's project sought to help which kind of people living in inner-city areas?

4. What term describes a form of help that disempowers the aided person or group?

5. Irving states, "I never felt white; I just felt like" (209) what?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. Explain the concept of dysfunctional rescuing.

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

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

8. 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?

9. Who came to assist Irving after the conflict at the conference by and for people of color and how did they help?

10. What requirements were in place at the preschool where Irving enrolled her eldest daughter and how did the requirements shape the school's population?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What ultimate message is Irving sending about the mythical qualities of the United States?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Discuss Irving's choice to construct the text of Waking Up White using events from her own life as catalysts for discussion. What elements of the book's themes lend themselves to this choice and what are Irving’s intended effects on the reader?

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