Strategies for Critical Reading

• base your answers to the question solely on what is stated or implied in the passages,
• read all the text,
• skip questions you do not know and return to them after answering the easy questions
• first and last sentences of each paragraph are critical,
• use the line references to locate the right spot in a passage,
• read the passage before reading the questions,
• do not waste time memorizing details

Read this passage then answer the question:

    Given the persistent and intransigent nature of the American race system, which proved quite impervious to black attacks, Du Bois in his speeches and writings moved from one proposed solution to another, and the salience of various parts of his philosophy changed as his perceptions of the needs and strategies of black America shifted over time. Aloof and autonomous in his personality, Du Bois did not hesitate to depart markedly from whatever was the current mainstream of black thinking when he perceived that the conventional wisdom being enunciated by black spokesmen was proving inadequate to the task of advancing the race. His willingness to seek different solutions often placed him well in advance of his contemporaries, as this, combined with a strong-willed, even arrogant personality made his career as a black leader essentially a series of stormy conflicts.

Thus Du Bois first achieved his role as a major black leader in the controversy that arose over the program of Booker T. Washington, the most prominent and influential black leader at the opening of the twentieth century. Amidst the wave of lynchings, disfranchisement, and segregation laws, Washington, seeking the good will of powerful whites, taught blacks not to protest against discrimination, but to elevate themselves through industrial education, hard work, and property accumulation; then, they would ultimately obtain recognition of their citizenship rights. At first Du Bois agreed with this gradualist strategy, but in 1903 with the publication of his most influential book, Souls of Black Folk, he became the chief leader of the onslaught against Washington that polarized the black community into two wings - the "conservative" supporters of Washington and his "radical" critics.

(From W.E.B. du Bois: Protagonist of the Afro-American Protest” by Elliot Rudwick, in Black Leaders of the Twentieth Century, edited by John Hope Franklin and August Meier. University of Illinois Press)

Question 1: The author’s primary purpose in the passage is to....
(A) explain how Du Bois was influenced by Washington
(B) compare the personalities of Du Bois and Washington
(C) explain why Du Bois gained power in the black community
(D) describe Du Bois’ role in early twentieth century black leadership
(E) correct the misconception that Du Bois shunned polarization

Question 2: The author’s attitude towards Du Bois’ departure from conventional black policies can best be described as:
(A) skeptical
(B) derisive
(C) shocked
(D) approving
(E) resigned

Question 3: Which of the following statements about W.E.B. Du Bois does the passage best support?
(A) He sacrificed the proven strategies of earlier black leaders to his craving for political novelty.
(B) Preferring conflict to harmony, he followed a disruptive course that alienated him from the bulk of his followers.
(C) He proved unable to change with the times in mounting fresh attacks against white racism.
(D) He relied on the fundamental benevolence of the white population for the eventual success of his movement.
(E) Once an adherent of Washington’s policies, he ultimately lost patience with them for their inefficacy.

Answers:
Question 1: D
Question 2: D
Question 3: E

Explanations:
Question 1: The author first discusses Du Bois in relationship to black leaders in general and then provides the specific example of his relationship to Booker T. Washington.
Question 2: His attitude can best be described as approving because although the author points out that Du Bois’ methods led him into conflict, he describes Du Bois as “well in advance of his contemporaries” and stresses his motives for departing from the mainstream were admirable.
Question 3: The last sentence points out that Du Bois originally agreed with Washington’s program.

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