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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 said out loud during the mourning rituals?

2. How did the men of Senegal treat an educated woman?

3. What is the difference between the narrator's friends and fellow teachers versus her in-laws?

4. What reasons does the narrator give for Modou's taking a second wife?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What is a possible reason the narrator's first name is revealed in chapter 19?

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

3. What is a mirasse?

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

5. What decision is made about Aissatou's pregnancy and how does Ramatoulaye feel about the decision?

6. What does the narrator persist in thinking about Modou's abandonment and what does Aissatou say about it?

7. What does Modou do upon returning from France?

8. What is the response that many of those around Ramatoulaye have to the offer of marriage by Daouda and why?

9. What is the irony in the marriage offer from Dauoda?

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

Much is written in this book about the fact that education is necessary for a country to grow and become strong economically and to bring about equality of the sexes. The United States educational system is said to be on the decline, which may result in the United States being less competitive in the marketplace in the future. Research educational systems in several countries around the world; choose at least one country considered to be "third world," and one labeled "Western world." Compare and contrast their educational systems. How has the availability or lack of educational opportunities helped or hurt a country's general living conditions? In your opinion, what does the United States need to do to improve their educational system?

Essay Topic 2

Marriage has changed dramatically in the United States even in the last fifty years. Research as to how marriage has changed in the United States. Do you think marriage will eventually be a thing of the past? Is marriage important for the stability of a culture? How would the culture of the United States change if there was no such thing as legal marriage? How would this impact the well being of children? Are there advantages to not having the institution of marriage?

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.

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