In an unfinished but highly suggestive series of essays, the late Sarah Eisenstein has focused attention on the evolution of working women's values from the turn of the century to the First World War. Eisenstein argues that turn-of-the-century women neither wholly accepted nor rejected what she calls the dominant "ideology of domesticity," but rather took this and other available ideologies-feminism, socialism, trade unionism-and modified or adapted them in light of their won experiences and needs. In thus maintaining that wages-work helped to produce a new "consciousness" among women, Eisenstein to some extent challenges the recent, controversial proposal by Leslie Tentler that for women the work experience only served to reinforce the attractiveness of the dominant ideology. According to Tentler, the degrading conditions under which many female wage earners worked made them view the family as a source of power and esteem available nowhere else in their social world. In contrast, Eisenstein's study insists that wage work had other implications for women's identities and consciousness. Most importantly, her work aims to demonstrate that wage-work enabled women to become aware of themselves as a distinct social group capable of defining their collective circumstances. Eisenstein insists that as a group working-class women were not able to come to the collective consciousness of their situation until they began entering the labor force, because domestic work tended to isolate them from one another. Unfortunately, Eisenstein's unfinished study does not develop these ideas in sufficient depth or detail, offering tantalizing hints rather than an exhaustive analysis. Whatever Eisenstein's overall plan may have been, in its current form her study suffers from the limited nature of the sources she depended on. She uses the speeches and writings of reformers and labor organizers, who she acknowledges were far from representative, as the voice of the typical woman worker. And there is less than adequate attention given to the differing values of immigrant groups that made up a significant proportion of the population under investigation. While raising important questions, Eisenstein's essays do not provide a definitive answer, and it remains for others to take up the challenges they offer.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
Try yourself: The primary purpose of the passage is to
A
Criticize a scholar`s assumptions and methodology
B
Evaluate an approach to women`s study
C
Compare two sociological theories
D
Correct a misconception about feminist theory
E
Defend an unpopular ideology
Correct Answer: B
This question asks you to identify the primary purpose of the passage as a whole. Choice B is the best answer. The passage gives an overview of Eisenstein`s approach to women`s history and then offers an evaluation of that approach. Choice A is not correct: while the passage mentions certain criticisms of Eisenstein`s work, it is not her underlying assumptions that are being challenged. Furthermore, the criticisms do not constitute the primary concern of the passage. Choice C is not correct: while two theories are mentioned, a passage whose primary purposes were to compare those two theories would have to discuss the second theory in greater detail. Choice D and E are incorrect because the passage does not suggest that there have been misconceptions about feminist theory, and no particular ideology is being defended.
Report a problem
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
Try yourself: It can be inferred from the passage that, in Eisenstein`s view, working women at the turn of the century had which of the following attitudes toward the dominant ideology of their time?
A
They resented the dominant ideology as degrading.
B
They preferred the dominant ideology to other available ideologies.
C
They began to view the dominant ideology as other available ideologies.
D
They accepted some but not all aspects of the dominant ideology.
E
They believed that the dominant ideology isolated them from one another.
Correct Answer: D
This question requires you to make an inference, based on Eisenstein`s argument, regarding her view of the attitudes of the women she studies. The best answer is D. The first paragraph of the passage notes Eisenstein`s argument that women neither wholly accepted nor rejected the dominant ideology of the time and that they modified this and other ideologies to suit their needs. Choice A is incorrect. The dominant ideology is one among several ideologies that Eisenstein argues were adapted and modified by working women; the passage does not suggest that Eisenstein believed that working women resented that ideology or considered it degrading. Choice B is incorrect because Eisenstein`s argument is that women took aspects of several available ideologies and modified them; there is no suggestion that anyone ideology was preferred over others. Choice C can be eliminated because according to the passage, it is Tentler, not Eisenstein, who argues that working conditions increased the attractiveness of the dominant ideology. Choice E is not correct. Eisenstein argues that domestic work tended to isolate women from one another; there is no indication in the passage that the women themselves believed the dominant ideology was responsible for this.
Report a problem
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
Try yourself: Which of the following best describes the organization of the first paragraph of the passage?
A
A chronological account of historical development is presented, and then future developments are predicted.
B
A term is defined according to several different schools of thought, and then a new definition is formulated.
C
A theory is presented, an alternative viewpoint is introduced, and then the reasoning behind the initial theory is summarized.
D
A tentative proposal is made, reasons for and against it are weighed, and then a modified version of the proposal is offered.
E
A controversy is described, its historical implications are assessed, and then a compromise is suggested.
Correct Answer: C
This question asks you to identify the structure of the first paragraph of the passage. The best answer is C. The first paragraph presents Eisenstein's theory, then makes note of Tentler`s opposing views, then continues with a further explication of Eisenstein`s argument. Choice A can be eliminated because the paragraph discusses a certain historical development, the evolution of working women`s values, but it does not make predictions about future developments. Choice B is not correct because the paragraph is not concerned with contrasting definitions of any term. Choice D and E are not correct because the paragraph does not discuss a tentative proposal that requires evaluation or controversy that calls for resolution.
Report a problem
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
Try yourself: Which of the following would the author of the passage be most likely to approve as a continuation of Eisenstein`s study?
A
An oral history of promotion women labor organizers
B
An analysis of letters and diaries written by typical female wage earners at the turn of the century
C
An assessment of what different social and political groups defined as the dominant ideology in the early twentieth century
D
A theoretical study of how socialism and feminism influenced one another at the turn of the century
E
A documentary account of labor`s role in the introduction of women into the labor force
Correct Answer: B
To answer this question you must decide which answer would best provide the sort of information that the author feels is lacking in Eisenstein`s study. The author`s critique of Eisenstein`s argument is found primarily in the second paragraph. Choice B is the best answer because the author points out that Eisenstein`s study is flawed in that it relies on sources that are not representative of the average female worker. An analysis of writings by typical female wage earners would help to rectify this problem. Choice A is not correct. Eisenstein`s study already focuses on labor organizers; it is unlikely that the author feels that even more attention to this group is necessary. Choice C is not correct because the passage does not suggest that three were disagreements among social and political groups as to the definition of the dominant ideology. Choices D and E are incorrect because Eisenstein`s study is not concerned with the interaction between socialism and feminism, nor with labor`s particular role in the introduction of women into the workforce.
1. What are some common strategies for practicing reading comprehension for the CAT exam?
Ans. Some common strategies for practicing reading comprehension for the CAT exam include: - Reading newspapers and magazines regularly to improve reading speed and comprehension skills. - Practicing with a variety of reading materials, such as articles, essays, and passages from past CAT exams. - Taking timed practice tests to simulate the exam environment and improve time management. - Analyzing the structure of passages, identifying the main idea and supporting details, and summarizing the key points. - Developing a systematic approach to answering questions, such as skimming the passage first, highlighting important information, and referring back to the passage for specific details.
2. How can I improve my vocabulary for the CAT reading comprehension section?
Ans. Improving vocabulary for the CAT reading comprehension section can be done through the following methods: - Reading extensively to expose yourself to a wide range of words and contexts. - Keeping a vocabulary notebook to jot down new words and their meanings, and reviewing them regularly. - Using flashcards or online vocabulary-building tools to practice memorizing and understanding new words. - Engaging in word games and puzzles to make learning new words more fun and interactive. - Trying to use new words in your everyday conversations and writing to reinforce your understanding and usage.
3. What are some effective strategies for answering inference-based questions in the CAT reading comprehension section?
Ans. Here are some effective strategies for answering inference-based questions in the CAT reading comprehension section: - Pay close attention to the tone and language used in the passage to understand the author's perspective and intentions. - Look for clues and hints within the passage that can lead you to make logical inferences. - Use your knowledge and understanding of the world to make educated guesses about the author's implied meaning. - Refer back to the specific lines or paragraphs in the passage that support your chosen inference. - Eliminate answer choices that are not supported by the information given in the passage to increase your chances of selecting the correct answer.
4. How can I manage my time effectively during the CAT reading comprehension section?
Ans. To manage your time effectively during the CAT reading comprehension section, you can follow these tips: - Read the questions first before reading the passage to have a clear understanding of what you need to look for. - Skim through the passage quickly to get an overview of the content and main ideas. - Use highlighting or underlining to mark important details or key points in the passage. - Allocate a specific amount of time for each question and try to stick to it. - If you're stuck on a difficult question, move on to the next one and come back to it later if you have time. - Practice time management by taking timed practice tests and gradually reducing the time allotted for each passage.
5. How can I improve my reading speed for the CAT reading comprehension section?
Ans. Improving reading speed for the CAT reading comprehension section can be achieved through the following techniques: - Practice speed reading techniques, such as using a pointer or your finger to guide your eyes along the lines. - Avoid subvocalization (mentally pronouncing each word) to increase reading speed. - Focus on the main ideas and skip unnecessary details while reading the passage. - Increase your reading stamina by gradually increasing the amount of time you spend reading each day. - Take regular breaks during practice sessions to prevent mental fatigue. - Use online resources or apps that offer speed reading exercises and drills to enhance your reading speed.
100 RCs for Practice Questions- 98, Extra Questions, study material, Semester Notes, Summary, pdf , Objective type Questions, MCQs, 100 RCs for Practice Questions- 98, practice quizzes, Exam, shortcuts and tricks, video lectures, Sample Paper, Free, Previous Year Questions with Solutions, ppt, Viva Questions, mock tests for examination, Important questions, past year papers, 100 RCs for Practice Questions- 98;
