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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. Who did Usbek leave in charge of his seraglio?

2. According to Pharan, what would be the result of turning him into a eunuch?

3. Who does Usbek write the 44th letter to?

4. What would have happened to the men Usbek described as depraved in letter 46?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why does Usbek consider Smyrna powerful in letter 18?

3. What do the women Rica use as an example do to be called noble by Rica?

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

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

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

7. What does Usbek encourage the eunuch to do according to letter 1?

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

9. Who is forced to leave France and why according to Rica?

10. What conclusion does Rica send to Ibben concerning the difference between men of different cultures?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the Persian Letters, Usbek emphasizes religious contrasts between Muslims and Christians. Analyze the comparison between being a Muslim and aspects of Christianity, using the text to support your statements.

Essay Topic 2

The Persian Letters examines the difference between Persians and western Europeans regarding courting and marital relations. In an essay, examine the differences and similarities between the two cultures and discuss the potential ramifications, such as cultural expectations. Use examples from the book to support your discussion.

Essay Topic 3

Usbek discusses divergent effects that laws have on human behavior and how different cultures address diseases of the spirit. Discuss what behaviors may be considered divergent and affect the spirit and how Persian culture may address these differently than western Europeans.

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