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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 of Usbek's wives writes the 3rd letter back to him?

2. In what city does Usbek mention in letter 20?

3. What people does Usbek use to make his point in letters 11 to 14?

4. Who weds in letter 51?

5. How much punishment should a government apply to the people in order to make them respect the law according to Usbek?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Usbek spare the life of the white eunuch found alone with Zachi?

2. What irony does Usbek point out to Rhedi in letter 102?

3. What does Usbek discover about Paris coffee houses according to letter 34?

4. In letter 105, what does Usbek think is popular in Europe and who do they cater to?

5. What happens to the head eunuch in letter 141?

6. What does Nargum lament in letter 79?

7. What does Usbek think of countries that allow discipline of children in letter 78?

8. What is powerless according to Rica in Letter 71 and why?

9. What does the republic result from according to Rica in Letter 125?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Montesquieu emphasizes the need for religious tolerance in Persian Letters and equates reason with tolerance. Examine how he addresses religious beliefs, practice, and leadership in the Persian Letters.

Essay Topic 2

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 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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This section contains 594 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample