Power and Politics — Study Notes & Solutions

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Working with Words

A. Vocabulary Solutions

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B. Word Family Chart

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C. Socio-Political Terminology Definitions

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D. Consonant Cluster Identification

Consonant clusters are groups of two or more consonant sounds occurring together without an intervening vowel:

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  a. Fluffy, flip-flop, floor ('/fl/`)
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  b. whites, sing, song, striking, stars (/st/, /str/)
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  c. flowers, flask, tea, favourite, flavour (/fl/)
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  d. Smita, fell, flu (/sm/, /fl/)
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  e. friend, frightened, frogs (/fr/)
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  f. Thumbelina, stumbled, green, bush (/st/, /mb/, /gr/)
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  g. heard, rumble, cry (/mbl/, /kr/)
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  h. Climb, Tom (/kl/)
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  i. Freedom, strived (/fr/, /str/)
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  j. Children, munching, crunchy, French, fries (/tʃ/, /kr/, /fr/)

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Comprehension

Short Answer Solutions

a. Why does Audre Lorde think that Mary got a sort of victory at the University of Boston?

Lorde views Mary's engagement at Boston University as a victory because the large attendance of women demonstrated a growing collective strength and created an expanded platform for female solidarity.

b. Why is Lorde thankful to Mary?

Lorde appreciates Mary for sharing her text Gyn/Ecology, which Lorde found intellectually stimulating and insightful for analyzing women's social conditions.

c. What impression did the writer have about how white women viewed Black women?

The author observed that white women frequently overlooked the lived experiences of Black women, failing to engage in genuine, equal dialogue—an attitude that fostered frustration.

d. Why did Mary not include Black women as goddesses in her book, according to Lorde?

Lorde notes that Mary focused her framework exclusively on Western European mythology, thereby omitting the spiritual traditions and historical representations of non-white women.

e. Why did Lorde feel her words were misused?

Lorde felt her expressions were taken out of context and weaponized against her as a woman of color, rather than being evaluated for their substantive arguments.

f. How were Black women undervalued according to Lorde?

Lorde argues that Black women were marginalized because mainstream Western European feminism treated white female experiences as universal, pushing Black women's distinct history to the periphery.

g. How does Mary view white women, and does Lorde agree?

Mary presents the history of white European women as the central narrative of all womanhood. Lorde strongly disagrees, contending that true feminism must encompass the intersecting struggles of women across all racial and cultural backgrounds.

h. What is Afrekete, and how does it relate to the text?

Afrekete symbolizes the collective identity and literary legacy of Black lesbian writers. It highlights Lorde's commitment to elevating underrepresented female voices within broader socio-political discussions.

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Critical Thinking

A. Intersectionality of Gender Oppression

Gender-based discrimination is a global phenomenon that transcends racial, national, and socio-economic lines. Women worldwide historically face challenges regarding bodily autonomy, equal wages, educational access, and political representation.

While the specific manifestations of inequality vary depending on local customs and economic conditions, the underlying structural barriers remain widespread, making gender equity an international imperative.

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B. The Importance of Examining Personal Beliefs

Questioning assumptions is essential for cognitive growth, reducing bias, and developing empathy. Belief systems are often adopted passively through family, culture, and social surroundings.

By critically re-examining established views, individuals can separate evidence-based reasoning from inherited prejudice. This reflective process fosters open-mindedness, mutual respect, and healthier civic discourse.

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Writing

Newspaper Article: The Status of Women in Nepali Society

Date: January 26, 2021

Category: Social Commentary

Nepal is a nation defined by rich cultural diversity, yet patriarchal norms continue to shape social structures across many communities. Historically, women's social standing has been tied to domestic roles, with economic dependence limiting their autonomy.

Key Dimensions of Development

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   Economic Contributions: While women perform a major share of agricultural and domestic labor, much of this work remains unmonetized and excluded from formal national economic metrics.
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   Health and Education: Regional disparities persist. In rural areas, challenges such as early marriage, reproductive health risks, and lower secondary school completion rates continue to affect young women.
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   Legal Reforms & Progress: Legislative initiatives have improved formal representation. Constitutional mandates now guarantee female quotas in local and federal governance, increasing political participation.

Achieving true gender parity in Nepal requires continuing to bridge the gap between legal policy and everyday cultural practices, ensuring equal access to leadership, education, and financial independence.

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Grammar

A. Adjective Order Rules (OSASCOMP)

Rule Order: Opinion $\rightarrow$ Size $\rightarrow$ Age $\rightarrow$ Shape $\rightarrow$ Color $\rightarrow$ Origin $\rightarrow$ Material $\rightarrow$ Purpose

Correct Selections

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  a. an old foreign car
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  b. a beautiful white dress
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  c. a nice tall young man
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  d. a big black wooden desk
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  e. a delicious Italian pizza
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  f. a huge brown bear
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  g. a purple cotton sleeping bag
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  h. a beautiful old Indian village
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  i. a cute little kitten
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  j. an expensive antique table

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B. Sentence Reordering Exercises

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  a. I bought a comfortable new red scooter.
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  b. She reached home and sat on her relaxing old wooden chair.
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  c. We ate some delicious Chinese food.
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  d. I need some delicious round golden apples.
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  e. We like to live in a calm remote unmediated place for some time.
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  f. She is wearing a beautiful old silver ring.
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  g. I am looking for a stylish golden Japanese watch.
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  h. She dropped an attractive old China cup and smashed it.
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  i. He wants to marry a pretty young educated rustic girl.
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  j. We stayed in a new luxurious five-star hotel in Dubai.