View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What are the men wasting their intelligence on according to letter 34?

2. What is debated in different parts of the world according to letter 36?

3. What does Rica do to blend in in Paris?

4. What is the usual punishment for the eunuch's crime according to letter 19?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. Who does Usbek leave in charge of his home in Ispahan before leaving?

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

3. How does Usbek see the resolution of the crisis between Persian and Armenians?

4. Who is criticizing Usbek according to Rustan?

5. What keeps Usbek continually busy according to letter 46?

6. What do we learn about the situation in Usbek's Persian home in letter 39?

7. What does Usbek say about countries inhabited by undomesticated people?

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

9. What does Usbek tell Ibben in letter 95 about the fickleness of fortune?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

The Persian Letters reflects heavily on the treatment of women, especially wives in society during the time the letters were written. Examine the treatment of women and compare it with the treatment of women in society today.

Essay Topic 3

Montesquieu uses personification in his description of justice. In an essay, define personification and analyze why Montesquieu uses personification to write about justice. Students should use examples from the book to support their discussion.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 644 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample