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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. Approximately what percent of enslaved people brought to America does Lalami say were Muslim in "Faith"?

2. In what ways does Lalami say she lives in the so-called gray zone in the chapter "Faith"?

3. What does Lalami say Muslims in America are required to do after an ISIS attack?

4. After Operation Hold the Line apprehensions at the border decreased, what increased?

5. After a steel fence was built at the California-Mexico border the number of illegal crossings declined, while the number of what increased?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. Describe the conversation Lalami had with a seat mate on an airplane about Koreans in Gardena, California.

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

6. In what ways did Lalami's grandmother live a traditional Muslim life?

7. In "Borders," how many U.S. border checkpoints does Lalami learn are in the country? How many Americans live in border zones?

8. What are some of the strict rules Lalami says she learned of her religion in the chapter "Faith"?

9. In "Faith," what background does Lalami provided about her mother's early life and adolescence?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Lalami's focus on the theme of inequality as presented in Conditional Citizens.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay examining the ending of Conditional Citizens. How did the ending fit into the narrative? Do you think the ending was effective? In what ways does the final chapter develop the theme of progress? What might the author have done differently?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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