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Two divergent definitions have dominated sociologists'
discussions of the nature of ethnicity. The first emphasizes
the primordial and unchanging character of ethnicity. In
this view, people have an essential need for belonging that
(5) is satisfied by membership in groups based on shared
ancestry and culture. A different conception of ethnicity
de-emphasizes the cultural component and defines ethnic
groups as interest groups. In this view, ethnicity serves as
a way of mobilizing a certain population behind issues
(10) relating to its economic position. While both of these
definitions are useful, neither fully captures the dynamic
and changing aspects of ethnicity in the United States.
Rather, ethnicity is more satisfactorily conceived of as a
process in which preexisting communal bonds and common
(15) cultural attributes are adapted for instrumental purposes
according to changing real-life situations.
One example of this process is the rise of participation
by Native American people in the broader United States
political system since the Civil Rights movement of the
(20)1960's. Besides leading Native Americans to participate
more actively in politics (the number of Native American
legislative officeholders more than doubled), this movement
also evoked increased interest in tribal history and traditional
culture. Cultural and instrumental components of
(25 )ethnicity are not mutually exclusive, but rather reinforce
one another.
The Civil Rights movement also brought changes in the
uses to which ethnicity was put by Mexican American
people. In the 1960's, Mexican Americans formed
(30) community-based political groups that emphasized ancestral
heritage as a way of mobilizing constituents. Such emerg-
ing issues as immigration and voting rights gave Mexican
American advocacy groups the means by which to promote
ethnic solidarity. Like European ethnic groups in the
(35) nineteenth-century United States, late-twentieth-century
Mexican American leaders combined ethnic with contem-
porary civic symbols. In 1968 Henry Censors, then mayor
of San Antonio, Texas, cited Mexican leader Benito Juarez
as a model for Mexican Americans in their fight for con-
(40) temporary civil rights. And every year, Mexican Americans
celebrate Cinco de Mayo as fervently as many Irish
American people embrace St. Patrick's Day (both are major
holidays in the countries of origin), with both holidays
having been reinvented in the context of the United States
and linked to ideals, symbols, and heroes of the United
States.
1. Which of the following best states the main idea of the
passage?
(A) In their definitions of the nature of ethnicity,
sociologists have underestimated the power of the
primordial human need to belong.
(B) Ethnicity is best defined as a dynamic process that
combines cultural components with shared
political and economic interests.
(C) In the United States in the twentieth century, ethnic
groups have begun to organize in order to further
their political and economic interests.
(D) Ethnicity in the United States has been significantly
changed by the Civil Rights movement.
(E) The two definitions of ethnicity that have dominated
sociologists discussions are incompatible
and should be replaced by an entirely new approach.
2. Which is the following statements about the first two
definitions of ethnicity discussed in the first paragraph
is supported by the passage?
(A) One is supported primarily by sociologists, and the
other is favored by members of ethnic groups.
(B) One emphasizes the political aspects of ethnicity,
and the other focuses on the economic aspects.
(C) One is the result of analysis of United States
populations, and the other is the result of analysis of
European populations.
(D) One focuses more on the ancestral components
of ethnicity than does the other.
(E) One focuses more on immigrant groups than does
the other.
3. The author of the passage refers to Native American
people in the second paragraph in order to provide an
example of
(A) the ability of membership in groups based on
shared ancestry and culture to satisfy an essential
human need.
(B) how ethnic feelings have both motivated and been
strengthened by political activity
(C) how the Civil Rights movement can help promote
solidarity among United States ethnic groups
(D) how participation in the political system has
helped to improve a group's economic situation
(E) the benefits gained from renewed study of ethnic
history and culture
4. The passage supports which of the following statements
about the Mexican American co+munity?
(A) In the 1960's the Mexican American community
began to incorporate the customs of another ethnic
group in the United States into the observation of its
own ethnic holidays.
(B) In the 1960's Mexican American community
groups promoted ethnic solidarity primarily in
order to effect economic change
(C) In the 1960's leader of the Mexican American
community concentrated their efforts on promoting
a renaissance of ethnic history and culture
(D) In the 1960's members of the Mexican American
community were becoming increasingly concerned
about the issue of voting rights.
(E) In the 1960's the Mexican American community
had greater success in mobilizing constituents
than did other ethnic groups in the United States.
5. Which of the following types of ethnic cultural
expression is discussed in the passage?
(A) The retelling of traditional narratives
(B) The wearing of traditional clothing
(C) The playing of traditional music
(D) The celebration of traditional holidays
(E) The preparation of traditional cuisine
6. Information in the passage supports which of the
following statements about many European ethnic
groups in the nineteenth-century United States?
(A) They emphasized economic interests as a way of
mobilizing constituents behind certain issues.
(B) They conceived of their own ethnicity as being
primordial in nature.
(C) They created cultural traditions that fused United
States symbols with those of their countries of
origin.
(D) They de-emphasized the cultural components of
their communities in favor of political interests.
(E) They organized formal community groups designed
to promote a renaissance of ethnic history and
culture.
7. The passage suggests that in 1968 Henry Cisneros most
likely believed that
(A) many Mexican American would respond positively
to the example of Benito Juarez.
(B) many Mexican American were insufficiently
educated in Mexican history
(C) the fight for civil fights in the United States had
many strong parallels in both Mexican and rish
history.
(D) the quickest way of organizing community-based
groups was to emulate the tactics of Benito Juarez
(E) Mexican Americans should emulate the strategies
of Native American political leaders.
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