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

Short Answer Questions

1. Which presidential candidate does Lalami say had to go to great lengths to show his love for America?

2. Which presidential candidate does Lalami say called Americans "foolish," "dumb," and "very, very stupid" (21)?

3. Which United States presidential administration does Lalami say helped to fund the Mujahideen when ISIS leaders joined them in Afghanistan?

4. At the end of "Faith," what does Lalami say her daughter told her she wanted to be?

5. In "Assimilation," what reason does Lalami cite for why enslaved peoples were not taught to read?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the stark differences Lalami notes on either side of the Texas-Mexico border wall.

2. Describe Lalami's thoughts on how Arabs and Muslims are expected to act after events like 9/11?

3. What year is it and why is Lalami at a ceremony at the start of "Allegiance"?

4. Under what administration was Operation Hold the Line implemented? How successful was it?

5. Who founded ISIS? With what terrorist group did he first train and in what country?

6. What was the Demographics Unit that Lalami discusses at the end of "Allegiance"?

7. In "Faith," who does Lalami say helped to fund the Muhahideen?

8. Why did Lalami originally move to the U.S. and how long did she plan to stay?

9. In what ways does Lalami say she lives in the gray zone at the end of "Faith"?

10. What interesting fact does Lalami note at the 5 freeway on the Canada border?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay analyzing Lalami's stance on what it is like to be a Muslim in America. What experiences does she share about her life in America? Are they mostly good or mostly bad? When does she note a marked change in how people react to Muslims? What kinds of requirements are placed on Muslims particularly after a terrorist attack?

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay exploring Lalami's background in Morocco based on information in Conditional Citizens. What details of her life in Morocco does she provide? Why is this information important to the narrative?

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay comparing and contrasting Lalami's experience in Morocco to her experience in America. Focus on how these similarities and differences develop the themes of inequality, citizenship, and progress.

(see the answer keys)

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