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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 another secret revealed about the deceased?

2. What does Mawdo, Aissatou's husband, admire about his father-in-law?

3. How many sons does Aunty Nabou have?

4. What is Aunty Nabou's goal in raising her niece?

5. How many years has the second wife been married to the deceased?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Mawdo's life as a physician successful and what are the implications of this?

2. What is the first of Modou's secrets that is revealed?

3. What did Lady Mother-in-Law bring up at the mirasse and with what result?

4. How does the narrator react to Modou's death?

5. What is Mawdo Bw's attitude towards his marriage and father-in-law?

6. How does Mawdo's mother take revenge agains Aissatou?

7. What does the narrator think of those who go to school instead of learning traditional crafts?

8. What are the narrator's concerns for some of her children?

9. What decision does Ramatoulaye make about her three daughters (the "trio") in light of Aissatou's out-of-wedlock pregnancy?

10. How is Daouda Dieng significant to the narrator?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ramatoulaye's message at the end of the book is one of hope. Discuss various things that our world is doing to ensure the continuation of a healthy species and earth and how that is hopeful.

In what ways does our species and planet seem to be on a course of destruction and what needs to be done to feel hopeful about the future?

Essay Topic 2

Ramatoulaye writes of Daouda Dieng, the man her mother wanted her to marry, that he was a feminist. What does a man being a feminist mean? Give clear examples and details to support your thesis.

Is there any need in the world today for the concept of feminism? Why or why not--give examples and details to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 3

Besides morality having changed in the United States, the differences between what is considered right and wrong vary from culture to culture. Research three cultures other than the United States whose predominant religions are different and learn about their ideas of right and wrong. (For example, use a country where Islam, Christianity, and Buddhism are the predominant religion). Discuss how these three cultures differ. How are they similar? Do you feel more comfortable with one culture over the other two? Why?

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