Hidden Figures Chapters 7 & 8 Test

In Chapter 7, Dorothy Vaughan anticipates the post-WWII changes in employment opportunities. How does this foresight impact her actions at Langley?

• She ignores the changing political and social climate, believing that her job is secure.

• She begins preparing for the possibility of layoffs and actively works to improve her technical skills.

• She anticipates instability and begins taking steps to secure her position by learning new skills, particularly in computer programming.

• She seeks another job outside of NASA, believing that the future of Langley is uncertain.

Chapter 7 describes Dorothy Vaughan’s leadership of the segregated group of Black women at Langley. How does her leadership reflect the larger societal context of racial segregation?

• Dorothy’s leadership is largely ineffective, as racial segregation limits her influence.

• Dorothy leads her group with authority and is able to break through the barriers of segregation easily.

• Dorothy navigates a system of segregation by building trust and respect within her group, showing how marginalized individuals create their own opportunities in oppressive systems.

• Dorothy’s leadership is not impacted by segregation and instead focuses solely on technical training.

In Chapter 8, Katherine Johnson’s experience at West Virginia University highlights certain societal obstacles. What do these experiences reveal about the social climate of the time?

• The university environment was welcoming and inclusive of Black women, which allowed Katherine to succeed.

• Katherine’s experiences were typical of Black women in academia, as they were excluded from most opportunities.

• Katherine faced significant racial and gender-based challenges, but her intelligence and determination allowed her to overcome these obstacles.

• The university environment was primarily focused on scientific achievement, with little regard for race or gender.

The contributions of Black women like Dorothy Vaughan and Katherine Johnson were often overlooked during the 1940s. What does this suggest about the societal values of the time?

• A) It suggests that Black women were highly valued in scientific and mathematical communities.

• B) It shows that the contributions of Black women were often dismissed, despite their significant achievements.

• C) It reflects how racial and gender biases during the 1940s led to the marginalization of Black women’s contributions to science and technology.

• D) It suggests that Black women had no place in the professional workforce during this time.

What actions did Dorothy Vaughan take that defied the expectations of Black women in the workforce during the 1940s?

• Dorothy adopts a passive approach, waiting for opportunities to come to her.

• Dorothy challenges societal expectations by actively preparing for job instability and advocating for her group’s inclusion in more advanced roles.

• Dorothy defies societal limitations by taking proactive steps, including improving her skills in new technologies and leading her group of women in a segregated workforce.

• Dorothy follows the traditional path of submitting to the system, never challenging the existing roles set for Black women.

What role does Katherine Johnson’s relationship with her father play in shaping her determination to succeed?

• Her father discourages her from pursuing higher education, leading Katherine to abandon her academic aspirations.

• Her father’s emotional support and encouragement help build Katherine’s confidence and persistence in the face of societal challenges.

• Katherine’s father provides both intellectual and emotional support, fostering her belief that she can overcome obstacles related to race and gender.

• Katherine’s father plays no significant role in her success, as her achievements are entirely self-driven.

In Chapter 8, how does Katherine Johnson’s work at NASA challenge the traditional gender roles of the time?

• Katherine accepts her secondary role as a woman working with male colleagues, never challenging gender norms.

• Katherine’s work as a mathematician was largely invisible and unacknowledged by her male counterparts, reinforcing the gender roles of the time.

How do the experiences of Dorothy Vaughan and Katherine Johnson exemplify the concept of “double jeopardy” as it relates to race and gender in mid-20th century America?

• Both women face only racial discrimination but are not affected by gender biases in their professional lives.

• Both women are shielded from discrimination due to their technical skills and professional accomplishments.

• Both women experience discrimination based on both race and gender, which complicates their professional opportunities and achievements.

• Both women are granted equal opportunities because their talents outweigh societal biases.

Chapter 7 portrays Dorothy Vaughan’s adaptability in learning new technologies. How does her ability to adapt illustrate the larger challenges faced by Black women in the workforce?

• It demonstrates how Black women’s success was solely dependent on traditional skills and methods.

• It highlights that Black women could only thrive in low-level positions and had limited access to leadership roles.

• It reflects how Black women had to continuously adapt to new technologies and systems to remain relevant and secure their positions in an ever-changing workforce.

• It shows that Black women faced no technological barriers and were easily able to integrate into evolving fields.

Katherine Johnson’s career at NASA was initially marked by a lack of recognition. What does this suggest about the intersection of race and gender at NASA?

• It suggests that both race and gender played a role in limiting recognition and opportunities.

• It suggests that only gender was a barrier at NASA.

• It suggests that only race was a barrier at NASA.

• It suggests that there were no barriers related to race or gender at NASA.