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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 profession does Aunty Nabou insist her niece take up?

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

3. What had the deceased bought to please his second wife?

4. What is the name of Modou's friend who Modou introduces to the narrator and her friends?

5. How do the narrator and her friends feel about being teachers?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is one thing that school does for the narrator?

2. What is the response to the taking down of the hair by each wife?

3. What is special about the narrator and how is this looked upon?

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

5. What does the widow have to do after the funeral of her husband? How does she feel about this?

6. What contributed to Modou's success in his work environment?

7. What tradition surrounding her husband's death does the narrator dislike and why?

8. Describe the narrator's living situation.

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

10. Why is Farmata disappointed in how Ramatoulaye handles Aissatou's pregnancy?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Racism. Many countries have been greatly impacted by bigotry or racism. Some racism exists even among a single race--for example, lighter-skinned blacks feeling racist towards darker-skinned blacks. Research the psychological reasons that motivate racism. Are these the only reasons for racism? Do economics or class play a part in racism? Do you envision a day when racism truly no longer exists? Why or why not? Is enough being done in the United States towards eradicating racism? Why or

Essay Topic 2

When Ramatoulaye realizes her daughters are smoking and wearing "Western" clothes. Discuss the idea of the "ugly American" and why many countries seem to both be attracted to and repulsed by American (United States) culture, fashions, fads, ideas, etc. Do you believe Americans deserve this contempt from many citizens of other countries? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 3

Political systems. Several political systems are mentioned in this book, democracy and socialism being the most prominent. Research the differences between democracy and socialism. How would life in the United States be different under a socialist form of government versus a democracy. Compare and contrast a country that is considered to be a democracy versus one considered socialist. Look at individual rights, worker's rights, class structure, and one other field of your choice, such as medicine or education.

(see the answer keys)

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