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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. What is the real reason for Usbek trip?

2. How is Zachi and Zelide's relationship according to the 19th letter?

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

4. What activities can Usbek's wives do in his absence?

5. From whose excrement does the pig come from according to the Mullah in letter 17?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What problem does the University of Paris face, and what example of the problem does Usbek give?

3. What is justice according to Usbek in letter 81?

4. Why does the head eunuch want Usbek to return home?

5. What happened to Roxanne according to letter 150?

6. What happened to the Troglodytes according to Usbek?

7. Who is Mehemet Ali?

8. What is the relationship between the head eunuch and Jaron, the eunuch Usbeck brought with him according to the supplementary letters?

9. Why does Africa become less populated according to Usbek?

10. Why are the Troglodytes a unique civilization according to Usbek in letters 11 to 14?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Persian Letters uses satire to describe the travels of two Persian brothers, Usbek and Rica. In an essay, define satire and examine Montesquieu's use of satire in the novel and discuss how it benefits the story and character development.

Essay Topic 2

In Persian Letters, Usbek writes about half-hearted lifestyles, particularly how Christians seem to interpret the laws to their benefit in regard to slavery. Discuss the correlation between rationalizing personal behavior and adhering to one's beliefs.

Essay Topic 3

The Persian Letters has elements of humanism throughout. Write an essay that defines humanism, examines its role in society, and analyzes its importance in the Persian Letters, particularly in regards to the formation of character.

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