Question

"Shirley Chisolm Speech"
by Shirley Chisolm

Mr. Speaker, when a young woman graduates from college and starts looking for a job, she is likely to have a frustrating and even demeaning experience ahead of her. If she walks into an office for an interview, the first question she will be asked is, “Do you type?”

There is a calculated system of prejudice that lies unspoken behind that question. Why is it acceptable for women to be secretaries, librarians, and teachers, but totally unacceptable for them to be managers, administrators, doctors, lawyers, and Members of Congress.

The unspoken assumption is that women are different. They do not have executive ability orderly minds, stability, leadership skills, and they are too emotional.
Use the passage to answer the question.

Which detail expresses a rhetorical question in the excerpt?

(1 point)
Responses

Why is it acceptable for women to be secretaries, librarians, and teachers, but totally unacceptable for them to be managers, administrators, doctors, lawyers, and Members of Congress.
Why is it acceptable for women to be secretaries, librarians, and teachers, but totally unacceptable for them to be managers, administrators, doctors, lawyers, and Members of Congress.

The unspoken assumption is that women are different.
The unspoken assumption is that women are different.

[T]he first question she will be asked is, “Do you type?”
[T]he first question she will be asked is, “Do you type?”

They do not have executive ability orderly minds, stability, leadership skills, and they are too emotional.
They do not have executive ability orderly minds, stability, leadership skills, and they are too emotional.

Answer 1

Why is it acceptable for women to be secretaries, librarians, and teachers, but totally unacceptable for them to be managers, administrators, doctors, lawyers, and Members of Congress.

This is rhetorical—Shirley Chisholm asks it to highlight the unfair double standard, not to request an actual answer.