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Questions and Answers
What was the First Lady referring to with her comments about Alice Walker?
What was the First Lady referring to with her comments about Alice Walker?
Acknowledging the potentially embarrassing circumstances under which she is delivering her speech.
In this passage, the author is primarily concerned with?
In this passage, the author is primarily concerned with?
In the second paragraph, the author makes which of the following claims regarding the Class of 1990?
In the second paragraph, the author makes which of the following claims regarding the Class of 1990?
The author defends her decision to marry George Bush by elaborating on?
The author defends her decision to marry George Bush by elaborating on?
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In the second-to-last paragraph, the anecdote about the complaining husband serves primarily to?
In the second-to-last paragraph, the anecdote about the complaining husband serves primarily to?
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Which of the following best describes the author's exigence in the passage?
Which of the following best describes the author's exigence in the passage?
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Should the writer add the sentence about inhabitants leaving their homes after sentence 6?
Should the writer add the sentence about inhabitants leaving their homes after sentence 6?
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Should the writer make the addition of 'According to the country's president,' before sentence 7?
Should the writer make the addition of 'According to the country's president,' before sentence 7?
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Which sentence provides relevant support for the claim made in sentences 12 and 13 about building artificial islands?
Which sentence provides relevant support for the claim made in sentences 12 and 13 about building artificial islands?
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Study Notes
Commencement Speech by Barbara Bush
- Delivered at Wellesley College in 1990, emphasizing the journey starting after graduation.
- Each class at Wellesley is identified by a special color; Class of '90 wore purple.
- Encourages graduates to search for their "true colors" and live an authentic life.
Three Special Choices
- Belief in a Larger Purpose: Involvement in significant societal issues, e.g., literacy.
- Finding Joy in Life: Importance of laughter and happiness, illustrated through her marriage to George Bush.
- Cherishing Human Connections: Prioritizing relationships with family and friends over career achievements.
Family versus Career
- Advocates for parents to prioritize their children, emphasizing the importance of affection and time spent with family.
- Critiques the perception of childcare as a chore, stressing the lasting value of human connections.
Audience Engagement and Humor
- Self-deprecating humor used to address comparisons to Alice Walker, the audience’s preferred speaker.
- Acknowledges the challenge of delivering a speech in light of potential audience biases.
Transitioning into Life Post-Wellesley
- Discusses the transitional period facing graduates, encouraging them to make unconventional choices.
- Emphasizes that true success is rooted in personal fulfillment and valuing relationships.
Potential Impact of Artificial Islands
- Hong Kong's land shortage prompts radical solutions like constructing the East Lantau Metropolis to accommodate over a million residents.
- Kiribati faces existential threats due to rising sea levels, necessitating the creation of new islands for safety.
Challenges of Artificial Island Construction
- Building artificial islands brings environmental risks, including destruction of coral reefs and destabilization of coastal ecosystems.
- The debate on whether creating artificial islands is a viable solution for urban challenges and climate change is ongoing.
Critique of Claims and Proposal Supports
- An additional proposed sentence regarding Kiribati's uninhabitability was deemed unnecessary and redundant.
- Acknowledging the source of scientific predictions about Kiribati's future strengthens the narrative's credibility.
Expert Opinions to Support Claims
- Support for environmental concerns about artificial islands provided by marine biologists, linking urban sprawl and its effects on marine life.
- Highlights the urgency of considering ecological impacts amid developmental solutions for rising sea levels.
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Description
Explore the key themes and elements of Barbara Bush's commencement speech at Wellesley College in 1990. Delve into her references to Alice Walker and the significance of the color purple for the graduating class. This quiz will enhance your understanding of impactful speeches in literature.
