Commencement Speech Analysis

Questions and Answers

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?

Identifying the most important skills for adapting in uncertain times.

Garnering political support for her husband.

Offering her audience advice for the future. (correct)

Enumerating the most pressing social issues facing women today.

Cautioning her audience against repeating past mistakes.

In the second paragraph, the author makes which of the following claims regarding the Class of 1990?

They are unlikely to pursue careers in the visual arts.

They are unlikely to follow conventional paths in life. (correct)

They are unlikely to change their opinions.

They will lead more balanced lives after leaving Wellesley.

They will lead successful lives because of the quality of their education.

The author defends her decision to marry George Bush by elaborating on?

The need to pursue a sense of personal bliss. Signup and view all the answers

In the second-to-last paragraph, the anecdote about the complaining husband serves primarily to?

Illustrate the author's claim regarding the value of devoting oneself to one's children. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the author's exigence in the passage?

The question of how to lead a meaningful life 'in a transitional period'. Signup and view all the answers

Should the writer add the sentence about inhabitants leaving their homes after sentence 6?

No, because it makes an ineffective claim that does not require a defense. Signup and view all the answers

Should the writer make the addition of 'According to the country's president,' before sentence 7?

Yes, because it acknowledges the source of the information conveyed in the sentence. Signup and view all the answers

Which sentence provides relevant support for the claim made in sentences 12 and 13 about building artificial islands?

Marine biologists contend that the urban sprawl spreading into the oceans inevitably causes havoc for marine organisms and their habitats. Signup and view all the answers

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.

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.