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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. How many families survived the early stage of the society's creation?

2. How does Usbek describe the period of time the people of the society fought with each other?

3. What kind of people does Rica dislike?

4. What did Usbek's wife do as a form of amusement in his absence?

5. What does Usbek hope will spread to the rest of the world from Europe?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happened to the Troglodytes according to Usbek?

2. What does Rica think of his visit to the library according to letters 127 to 131?

3. In letter 93, what does the head eunuch purchase and who does he purchase it from?

4. Why does the relationship between Zachi and her servant turn sour according to Usbek in letter 19?

5. What is affluence based on in Paris according to Rica?

6. What is the debate Rica speaks of in letter 36?

7. Why do women gamble in France according to Usbek?

8. What does Zelis do to her 7 year old daughter in letter 60?

9. What are Usbek's orders concerning Pharan after reading both the head eunuch and Pharan's letters?

10. Why did the Troglodytes' neighbors want to rob them of according to Usbek?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ubsek discusses the way that religion and government interact and how they may interact in a positive manner. Compare his discussion with common beliefs of the separation of church and state today, then make a conclusion about which argument has more merit.

Essay Topic 2

In Persian Letters, Montesquieu examines the importance of ritual and the pacification of the gods. In an essay, discuss what rituals may be intended to pacify the gods and why they are important to Muslims or those in other religions. Students should use quotes from the book and a secondary source to support their discussion and make sure they define ritual in their essay.

Essay Topic 3

Usbek writes several times about changes in population and gives examples of different causes. Analyze and discuss the causes of changes in population and conclude which one is more likely. Students should use secondary sources to determine population during the time the book was written to support their essay.

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