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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What did Alfa's father once tell him about laughter?
(a) Laughter does not do anyone any good.
(b) Only children and fools laugh without reason.
(c) Laughter is God's medicine.
(d) You can laugh with someone, but not at someone.

2. What does Alfa suspect about Seck's translation of Captain Armand's directions to Alfa?
(a) Seck is leaving out some things Captain Armand is saying.
(b) Seck does not really speak Alfa's language very well.
(c) Seck does not really speak the Captain's langauge very well.
(d) Seck is translating word for word.

3. What does Alfa think about the owner of the fourth hand that he kills?
(a) He seems as if he has brutality in him.
(b) He is probably the one who killed Jean-Baptiste.
(c) He seems like a "good boy," an innocent.
(d) He is probably the one who killed Mademba.

4. Who is the leader of the revolt against Captain Armand?
(a) Jean-Baptiste.
(b) Alfa.
(c) Alphonse.
(d) Mademba.

5. Who was the most desirable young girl in Gandiol?
(a) Henrietta Lam.
(b) Fary Thiam.
(c) Mary Bo.
(d) Penndo Hero.

6. What does Captain Armand tell the traitorous soldiers they can have if they put themselves over the top of the trench to be killed by the enemy?
(a) A Purple Heart.
(b) A military pension.
(c) A new pair of boots for each of their children.
(d) A new helmet to be sent to their sons.

7. How does Alfa describe his mother's and father's relationship?
(a) His mother was his father's first and only love.
(b) His father and mother never got along.
(c) His mother was his father's second cousin.
(d) His mother was his father's fourth and final wife.

8. What term does Alfa use to describe all the white soldiers?
(a) Toubab.
(b) Tirald.
(c) Armand.
(d) Timpand.

9. Which soldier does Alfa extract from the trench to kill in Chapter XII?
(a) The one who goes to the bathroom.
(b) The one who stays up to smoke.
(c) The one who was singing the loudest.
(d) The one who starts crying.

10. Who does Alfa lose his virginity to?
(a) Mary Ba.
(b) Penndo Hero.
(c) Fary Thiam.
(d) Mademoiselle Henri.

11. What does Alfa compare his doctor to?
(a) A schoolmaster.
(b) A drill sergeant.
(c) A village chief.
(d) A chef.

12. What slang term do Alfa's fellow soldiers use for the Germans?
(a) Krauts.
(b) Aryans.
(c) Jerrys.
(d) Kids.

13. How many "traitorous" soldiers die at Captain Armand's command?
(a) 7.
(b) 9.
(c) 3.
(d) 20.

14. What does Alfa put on the trunk where he keeps the severed hands to keep people out of it?
(a) A knife.
(b) A talisman.
(c) A totem.
(d) A smear of tar.

15. When do the white soldiers suddenly decide to stop obeying Captain Armand?
(a) In the spring, around Easter.
(b) In the depth of winter.
(c) Between Alfa's fifth and sixth hand.
(d) In the heat of summer.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Alfa think he can tell that the woman at the hospital in the Rear is attracted to him?

2. What does Alfa say on the subjects of blame and God in Chapter XII?

3. What does Alfa remember about the night he lost his virginity to Fary Thiam?

4. What does Alfa say when Captain Armand wants to know where his severed hands are?

5. Who was the chief of Alfa's old village?

(see the answer keys)

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