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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why are the fires the men make in the trenches so small?
(a) No one knows how to make proper fires.
(b) To make bigger ones would risk giving away their position to the enemy.
(c) The men are afraid of the heat.
(d) They only have a little wood.

2. What does Alfa understand that Captain Armand wants on the battlefield, but not back in the trenches?
(a) Compassion.
(b) Madness.
(c) Strength.
(d) Friendship.

3. Where are most of the other Black soldiers from in the unit?
(a) The Middle East.
(b) China.
(c) West Africa.
(d) Russia.

4. What does Alfa's captain tell the soldiers in his unit think of Black soldiers like him?
(a) They like Black soldiers.
(b) They think Black soldiers are the most intelligent soldiers of all.
(c) They are afraid of them, considering them savages.
(d) They think Black soldiers are not very smart.

5. How far away do his fellow soldiers begin staying from Alfa?
(a) Nine leagues.
(b) Two fields' length.
(c) Ten large steps.
(d) Six meters.

6. What was the only thing Alfa was thinking about as Mademba died?
(a) His prayers to his mother.
(b) His own starvation.
(c) How he himself would survive the day.
(d) Getting revenge on the soldier who killed Mademba.

7. How does Alfa always kill the enemy soldiers?
(a) He disembowels them.
(b) He hangs them.
(c) He shoots them.
(d) He poisons them.

8. What does Alfa hear the night he approaches the German trenches to avenge Jean-Baptiste's death?
(a) Singing.
(b) Angry shouting.
(c) Snoring.
(d) Crying.

9. In Chapter X, what does Alfa know for sure he himself is not, even if everyone else seems to think he is?
(a) A very strong man.
(b) An idiot.
(c) A good friend.
(d) A sorcerer.

10. What rumor begins to spread about Alfa in Chapter VI?
(a) That he is an imposter.
(b) That he is a God.
(c) That he is the wealthy son of a businessman.
(d) That he is a sorcerer.

11. What is the Diop totem?
(a) A peacock.
(b) An alligator.
(c) An elephant.
(d) A panther.

12. How old is Alfa when the novel starts?
(a) 20.
(b) 35.
(c) 40.
(d) 18.

13. Why do the soldiers in Alfa's unit laugh when he sings?
(a) He sings in French.
(b) He sings off-key.
(c) He sings in a high voice.
(d) He sings beautifully, and they are embarrassed.

14. What entreaty to Mademba does Alfa finish Chapter I with?
(a) He asks Mademba to avenge him.
(b) He asks Mademba to tell his mother he loves her if he sees her in heaven.
(c) He asks Mademba to forgive him.
(d) He asks Mademba to pray for him.

15. In Chapter V, who does Alfa confess he was listening to right around the time when Mademba dies?
(a) His mother.
(b) His God.
(c) His father.
(d) His enemy.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where do the soldiers Alfa kills in the night always come out of?

2. What does Alfa do to the soldiers that he believes make them think he is about to rape them?

3. Whose "more-than-brother" does Alfa become in the wake of Mademba's death?

4. What phrase does Afla repeat many times at the beginning of his sentences in Part I?

5. What does Alfa say that the mad fear?

(see the answer keys)

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