In addition to her technical skill and daring feats, American stunt pilot Bessie Coleman was also known for dazzling the crowds that came to watch her air shows in the 1920s with her exuberant personality. During her career, she was careful and purposeful about how she crafted her public persona. An aviation researcher has claimed that Coleman intentionally defied social norms of the time by how she chose to present herself to the public.

Question

Which quotation from an article about Coleman would most directly support the aviation researcher’s claim?
Choose 1 answer:
Choose 1 answer:
(Choice A) “While Coleman was beloved by spectators for her charisma, she had a more complicated relationship with her managers and staff, who at times found her behavior too impulsive and demanding.”
A
“While Coleman was beloved by spectators for her charisma, she had a more complicated relationship with her managers and staff, who at times found her behavior too impulsive and demanding.”
(Choice B) “Coleman once considered leaving her career as a stunt pilot to focus her efforts on giving speeches, which she felt would better support her public image.”
B
“Coleman once considered leaving her career as a stunt pilot to focus her efforts on giving speeches, which she felt would better support her public image.”
(Choice C) “For her air shows, Coleman frequently used the Curtiss JN-4, or ‘Jenny,’ which at that time was one of the most well-known types of planes.”
C
“For her air shows, Coleman frequently used the Curtiss JN-4, or ‘Jenny,’ which at that time was one of the most well-known types of planes.”
(Choice D) “Although female pilots were typically expected to wear traditional but impractical attire that included dresses or skirts, photographs of Coleman show her wearing pants and leather jackets.”
D
“Although female pilots were typically expected to wear traditional but impractical attire that included dresses or skirts, photographs of Coleman show her wearing pants and leather jackets.”

Answer 1

The quotation that would most directly support the aviation researcher’s claim about how Bessie Coleman intentionally defied social norms of the time by her presentation to the public is:

(Choice D) “Although female pilots were typically expected to wear traditional but impractical attire that included dresses or skirts, photographs of Coleman show her wearing pants and leather jackets.”

This choice highlights her defiance of societal expectations related to women's clothing during her time, underscoring her purposeful crafting of her public persona.