Changing Attitudes Test Prep

The author of “Changing Attitudes” states in paragraph 1 that women experienced a great transformation after the Revolutionary War.

Which quotation from the passage supports this idea?

• “Forming Sons of Liberty groups, they tried to bring about change through organized protests and acts of resistance to British policies.” (paragraph 2)

• “After all, women were the ones who shopped for and used the products.” (paragraph 2)

• “The women gathered in ‘spinning bees’ in public places to sew together and to show their patriotism.” (paragraph 3)

• “They were on the path to seeing themselves as full and active citizens.” (paragraph 4)

Read the sentence from paragraph 2 in “Changing Attitudes.”

At first, Colonial men did not intend to launch a full-scale rebellion against Great Britain.

What does the word rebellion mean as it is used in the sentence?

• activity

• change

• opposition

• retreat

The following question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.

Part A.

What is the meaning of boycott as used in paragraph 2 of “Changing Attitudes”?

• blame

• deny

• dismiss

• reject

PART B.

Which quotation from the passage supports the answer to Part A?

• “ . . . to enlist their wives, sisters, and mothers.” (paragraph 2)

• “ . . . the ones who shopped for and used the products.” (paragraph 2)

• “ . . . female members started weaving their own cloth. . . .” (paragraph 3)

• “ . . . they discussed the issues of the day with one another.” (paragraph 4)

How does the author of “Changing Attitudes” develop the idea that women were significant in obtaining freedom from British rule?

• by providing dates

• by using newspaper articles

• by telling first-hand accounts

• by listing government reforms

Which quotation from “Changing Attitudes” supports the author’s idea that “women stopped apologizing in their letters for being ‘just a woman’” ?

• “Before the Revolutionary War, women felt intellectually inferior to men.” (paragraph 1)

• “Forming Sons of Liberty groups, they tried to bring about change through organized protests and acts of resistance to British policies.” (paragraph 2)

• “In sermons and newspapers, women were told that they had the power to influence events with their purchases.” (paragraph 3)

• “Women had always shopped for and woven cloth.” (paragraph 4)

Read the sentence from paragraph 2 of “What Were Women Up To, Anyway?”

In fact, in some American Indian tribes women held much of the power.

How does this sentence support the idea in the passage that women were important?

• It shows the consistency of the role of women in colonial America.

• It explains why some women held power in society while others did not.

• It contrasts the power of women in one culture as opposed to the women in another culture.

• It describes how American Indian women inspired colonial women to accept a greater role in society.

How is paragraph 5 important to the development of “What Were Women Up To, Anyway?”

• It details how married women learned basic skills to keep a home.

• It describes how women could own property, have businesses, and earn money.

• It shifts the passage from an argument about women’s rights in colonial times to the various roles women held in society.

• It moves the passage from a historical account about women in colonial times to the reality women faced without rights.

The author of “What Were Women Up To, Anyway?” states, “Women didn’t have many rights.” Select the quotation from the passage that supports this idea.

• “Mothers taught their daughters the skills necessary for becoming a good wife and mother.” (paragraph 3)

• “Many women learned to read and do math so they could keep track of the family money when they got married.” (paragraph 4)

• “Some women from wealthy families were better educated because their fathers would let them study with a brother.” (paragraph 4)

• “Women were not allowed to vote in elections or run for office.” (paragraph 5)

The following question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.

PART A

Which statement summarizes a central idea of “What Were Women Up To, Anyway?”

• Men were expected to make most of the decisions.

• Women took care of their families and their homes.

• Women contributed to the development of America.

• Men were responsible for maintaining property and their families.