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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 has Ahmad often fantasized about the person who visits his store in Chapter 35?

2. What is the name of the maid with whom Yasin cheats on his wife?

3. Which of the following things does not happen in the revolution that makes Fahmy's spirits soar?

4. Of what nationality is Yasin's new wife?

5. What country does Kamal find on a map when picturing the exile's steadfast behavior?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is Yasin's wedding reception described?

2. What is the nature of Fahmy and Yasin's conversation in Chapter 41?

3. What does Jalia confront Ahmad about when she joins the men's party during Aisha's marriage celebration?

4. Why does Fahmy believe British troops have set up camp across from Abd al-Jawad's doorstep?

5. How is Umm Maryam's visit to Ahmad's store described in Chapter 35?

6. How is Ahmad's visit with Umm Maryam described in Chapter 51?

7. How is Yasin and Zaynab's marriage described in Chapter 46?

8. What does Ahmad tell Khadija just before she is married?

9. How does Kamal act towards the British troops in Chapter 64?

10. How is Kamal's life affected by the revolution according to Chapter 55?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast Ahmad's dual personalities with his family and outside in public. How is the reader able to know Ahmad's true nature based on the secret fantasies he has about others in public?

Essay Topic 2

Examine the role fate plays in the lives of Ahmad's children who refuse to argue with his rules, especially about marriage. What is telling of Aisha based on her decision to leave being married up to fate?

Essay Topic 3

Early in the book, it becomes clear that there is a pointed difference in the way the men and women of Ahmad's family are treated.

Part 1.) What can we learn about the difference between men and women in Ahmad's household based on the morning rituals of each in his house?

Part 2.) What is telling about the time period of the book based on the treatment of men and women in the book?

Part 3.) What can we learn about the nature of Ahmad's character based on his treatment of men and women in the book?

(see the answer keys)

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