Passage 35
Two pergent definitions have dominated sociologists
discussions of the nature of ethnicity. The first emphasizes
the primordial2 and unchanging character of ethnicity. In
this view, people have an essential need for belonging that
is satisfied by membership in groups based on shared
ancestry3 and culture. A different conception of ethnicity
de-emphasizes the cultural component4 and defines ethnic1
groups as interest groups. In this view, ethnicity serves as
a way of mobilizing a certain population behind issues
relating to its economic position. While both of these
definitions are useful, neither fully5 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 communal6 bonds and common
cultural attributes are adapted for instrumental purposes
according to changing real-life situations.
One example of this process is the rise of participation7
by Native American people in the broader United States
political system since the Civil Rights movement of the
1960s. Besides leading Native Americans to participate
more actively8 in politics , this movement
also evoked9 increased interest in tribal10 history and traditional
culture. Cultural and instrumental components11 of
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 1960s, Mexican Americans formed
community-based political groups that emphasized ancestral
heritage as a way of mobilizing constituents12. Such emerg-
ing issues as immigration and voting rights gave Mexican
American advocacy groups the means by which to promote
ethnic solidarity13. Like European ethnic groups in the
nineteenth-century United States, late-twentieth-century
Mexican American leaders combined ethnic with contem-
porary civic14 symbols. In 1968 Henry Censors15, then mayor
of San Antonio, Texas, cited Mexican leader Benito Juarez
as a model for Mexican Americans in their fight for con-
temporary civil rights. And every year, Mexican Americans
celebrate Cinco de Mayo as fervently16 as many Irish
American people embrace St. Patricks Day , with both holidays
having been reinvented in the context of the United States
and linked to ideals, symbols, and heroes of the United
States
218. Which of the following best states the main idea of the passage?
In their definitions of the nature of ethnicity, sociologists have underestimated the power of the primordial human need to belong.
Ethnicity is best defined as a dynamic process that combines cultural components with shared political and economic interests.
In the United States in the twentieth century, ethnic groups have begun to organize in order to further their political and economic interests.
Ethnicity in the United States has been significantly changed by the Civil Rights movement.
The two definitions of ethnicity that have dominated sociologists discussions are incompatible17 and should be replaced by an entirely18 new approach.
219. Which is the following statements about the first two definitions of ethnicity discussed in
the first paragraph is supported by the passage?
One is supported primarily by sociologists, and the other is favored by members of ethnic groups.
One emphasizes the political aspects of ethnicity, and the other focuses on the economic aspects.
One is the result of analysis of United States populations, and the other is the result of analysis of European populations.
One focuses more on the ancestral components of ethnicity than does the other.
One focuses more on immigrant groups than does the other.
220. The author of the passage refers to Native American people in the second paragraph in
order to provide an example of
the ability of membership in groups based on shared ancestry and culture to satisfy an essential human need.
how ethnic feelings have both motivated and been strengthened by political activity
how the Civil Rights movement can help promote solidarity among United States ethnic groups
how participation in the political system has helped to improve a groups economic situation
the benefits gained from renewed study of ethnic history and culture
221. The passage supports which of the following statements about the Mexican American
community?
In the 1960s 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.
In the 1960s Mexican American community groups promoted ethnic solidarity primarily in order to effect economic change
In the 1960s leader of the Mexican American community concentrated their efforts on promoting a renaissance19 of ethnic history and culture
In the 1960s members of the Mexican American community were becoming increasingly concerned about the issue of voting rights.
In the 1960s the Mexican American community had greater success in mobilizing constituents than did other ethnic groups in the United States.
222. Which of the following types of ethnic cultural expression is discussed in the passage?
The retelling of traditional narratives
The wearing of traditional clothing
The playing of traditional music
The celebration of traditional holidays
The preparation of traditional cuisine
223. Information in the passage supports which of the following statements about many European ethnic groups in the nineteenth-century United States?
They emphasized economic interests as a way of mobilizing constituents behind certain issues.
They conceived of their own ethnicity as being primordial in nature.
They created cultural traditions that fused United States symbols with those of their countries of origin.
They de-emphasized the cultural components of their communities in favor of political interests.
They organized formal community groups designed to promote a renaissance of ethnic history and culture.
224. The passage suggests that in 1968 Henry Cisneros most likely believed that
many Mexican American would respond positively20 to the example of Benito Juarez.
many Mexican American were insufficiently21 educated in Mexican history
the fight for civil fights in the United States had many strong parallels in both Mexican and rish history.
the quickest way of organizing community-based groups was to emulate22 the tactics of Benito Juarez
Mexican Americans should emulate the strategies of Native American political leaders.
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