Anna Quindlen's essay "A Quilt of a Country"

What does the term "mongrel nation" refer to in the context of the text?

• A nation built on a single, uniform identity

• A nation consisting of diverse and ever-changing parts

• A nation with a long history of isolationism

• A nation defined by its religious homogeneity

According to Quindlen, what is the primary notion that holds America together?

• Ethnic and cultural homogeneity

• A common language

• Shared religious beliefs

• The notion that all men are created equal

How does Quindlen describe the reality of America's national striving?

• As a constant success

• As a great national unity

• As frequently consisting of failure

• As a model of perfection for other nations

1. 
   In the context of the text, what does the term "conundrum" refer to?

• A difficult problem or dilemma

• A type of folk dance

• A synonym for unity

• A form of ethnic pride

What does Quindlen suggest is the impact of armed conflict and enemy attacks on American unity?

• Increased division and distrust

• Strengthened national identity and unity

• The dissolution of the nation

• A shift towards isolationism

In the line "America is an improbable idea, a mongrel nation," what figurative language is used to describe America?

• metaphor

• simile

• personification

• parallel structure

According to “A Quilt of a Country,” what ideals are in “constant conflict” in the United States?

• tolerance and hatred

•  patriotism and unity

• equality and independence

• community and individualism

As explained in “A Quilt of a Country,” how did the two world wars and the Cold War unite the people of the United States?

• They provided a common enemy upon whom Americans could focus.

•  They required Americans from different backgrounds to fight together.

• They forced Americans to work together to raise money for the war effort.

• They caused Americans to look beyond their own neighborhoods as the

  conflicts ranged worldwide.

What is the meaning of disparate in the following sentence from “A Quilt of a Country”?

“A mongrel nation built of ever-changing disparate parts, it is held together by a notion, the notion that all men are created equal, though everyone knows that most men consider themselves better than someone.”

• Isolated

• different

• unnecessary

• interesting

When Quindlen uses personal anecdotes, such as the story of an Italian girl and an Irish boy, to connect with the reader emotionally, which rhetorical appeal is being utilized?

• ethos

• pathos

• logos

• kairos