View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. In Chapter III, what does Alfa think of his fellow soldiers?

2. What is the Ndiaye totem?

3. In Chapter V, who does Alfa confess he was listening to right around the time when Mademba dies?

4. What does Mademba ask Alfa to do for him in Part I?

5. What does Captain Armand wish to know the location of in Chapter VIII from Alfa?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Alfa repeatedly refer to Mademba in the narration?

2. What does Mademba ask Alfa to do as Mademba lays mortally wounded on the battlefield?

3. What does Alfa often see in his enemy's eyes before he kills him?

4. What does Alfa notice about Ibrahima Sack's translations for Captain Armand to Alfa in Part II?

5. What does Alfa begin to understand that his fellow soldiers think he is?

6. Why does Alfa receive the Croix de Guerre, a medal of honor?

7. What does Captain Armand want Alfa to do in Part II?

8. How does Mademba Diop die?

9. What is Alfa's relationship with Jean-Baptiste?

10. What was all Alfa could think about when he stayed with Mademba during Mademba's last hours?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Alfa feels that his white commanders in the army want him to act the part of the savage, but only when and if it is convenient to them. Write an essay explaining Alfa's feelings about his commanders' perceptions of him as a "savage," citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

How does Alfa get along with his fellow soldiers, both white and black, during his time in the trenches? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

Why does Alfa feel so intensely guilty about, and indeed responsible for, his best friend Mademba's death? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 642 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample