ENGL 310: Applied Grammar - Eliminating Sexist Language

True or False:

Sexist language is language that stereotypes or ignores women or men - or that unnecessarily calls attention to someone's gender.

• TRUE

• FALSE

If the following sentence is sexist, fix it. If the original sentence is correct, select NO CHANGE.



The woman engineer walked to the podium and began to explain the new design to the businessmen in the audience.

• The woman engineer walked to the podium and began to explain the new design to the businesspeople in the audience.

• The engineer walked to the podium and began to explain the new design to the business executives in the audience.

• NO CHANGE

If the following sentence is sexist, fix it. If the original sentence is correct, select NO CHANGE.

During home visits, the male nurse who helped my father was also good at mothering my children.

• During home visits, the nurse who helped my father was also good at caring for my children.

• During home visits, the nurse who helped my father was also good at mothering my children.

• NO CHANGE

If the following sentence is sexist, fix it. If the original sentence is correct, select NO CHANGE.



If anyone knows the correct answer, he should raise his hand immediately.

• If you know the correct answer, raise your hand immediately.

• If a student knows the correct answer, he should raise his hand immediately.

• NO CHANGE

If the following sentence is sexist, fix it. If the original sentence is correct, select NO CHANGE.



Whenever someone remodels a house, she must obtain a permit from the local governing authority.

• Whenever someone remodels a house, they must obtain a permit from the local governing authority.

• Whenever someone remodels a house, he or she must obtain a permit from the local governing authority.

• NO CHANGE

If the following sentence is sexist, fix it. If the original sentence is correct, select NO CHANGE.



All the freshmen members of Congress attended the opening session.

• All the new members of Congress attended the opening session.

• All the new congressmen attended the opening session.

• NO CHANGE

If the following sentence is sexist, fix it. If the original sentence is correct, select NO CHANGE.



Before becoming a police officer, a candidate must pass several stringent tests.

• Before becoming police officers, men must pass several stringent tests.

• Before becoming a police officer, men and women must pass several stringent tests.

• NO CHANGE

If the following sentence is sexist, fix it. If the original sentence is correct, select NO CHANGE.



If a single person wants to adopt a child, he must go through a screening process.

• If a single person wants to adopt a child, she must go through a screening process.

• If single people want to adopt a child, they must go through a screening process.

• NO CHANGE

If the following sentence is sexist, fix it. If the original sentence is correct, select NO CHANGE.



A salesman usually checks the caller ID feature before he answers the phone.

• A salesperson usually checks the caller ID feature before answering the phone.

• A salesperson usually checks the caller ID feature before they answer the phone.

• NO CHANGE

If the following sentence is sexist, fix it. If the original sentence is correct, select NO CHANGE.



The actions of human beings over the next decade may have far-reaching consequences for global warming.

• The actions of mankind over the next decade may have far-reaching consequences for global warming.

• The actions of man over the next decade may have far-reaching consequences for global warming.

• NO CHANGE