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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 the relationship between the two main characters introduced at the beginning of the story in Ali Baba And The Forty Thieves?

2. What kind of fish is the first one Khalifah catches in Khalifah The Fisherman of Baghdad?

3. In the story of The Ebony Horse, how many wise men arrived at King Sabur's palace?

4. What color does the city that Abu Kir returns to dye all their clothes in Abu Kir The Dyer And Abu Sir The Barber?

5. Who translates the messages on the seven white marble tablets in the story The City of Brass?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Abu-al Hasan make his way into the upper echelons of the Caliph's palace in The Sleeper And The Waker?

2. In the tale of Ma'aruf The Cobbler And His Wife Fatimah, Shahrazad demonstrates the difference between a good wife and a wicked one. How could this relate to Shahrazad's goals in the long run between herself and the king?

3. Consider the saying, "The clothes maketh the man." How is this proven in Alaedddin: Or, The Wonderful Lamp?

4. What lesson does Shahrazad teach the king through her story in Sindbad The Seaman And Sindbad The Lands?

5. What character trait(s) of the men in the story Julnar The Sea-Born And Her Son King Badr Basim of Persia allow(s) them to be ensnared by Queen Lab?

6. Explore the ironic moments of this story in The Lady And Her Five Suitors.

7. In The Ebony Horse, the brother Kamar rescues his younger sister from marriage to an ugly old Persian bearing a gift. In the process of helping his sister, Kamar also finds love, so his kindness is rewarded. What is to be learned from this part of the story?

8. What goal in Alaedddin: Or, The Wonderful Lamp may Shahrazad been trying to achieve through this story to the king?

9. Why might it be in Shahrazad's interests to decide to tell this story to the king in The City of Brass?

10. In The Angel of Death With The Proud King And The Devout Man is described a wealthy man and a poor one. What are the fundamental differences in the reasons for why each man personally lived his life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In The Tale of Ma'an Son of Zaidah and The Badawi, the Emir rewards loyalty not by buying it, but by rewarding it after it is shown without any provocation or wielding of power. When the farmer did not recognize him, yet still spoke well of him and his generosity, he paid the man for his goods beyond what had been previously discussed. While this moral can be lauded as a wonderful commentary on the fact that leaders do not need to use force or proof to create a popular legacy or reputation, how could this kind of slant on the way leaders can effect their people be seen as a negative or morally corrupt one in democratic society today?

Essay Topic 2

How, throughout Ali Baba And The Forty Thieves, is justice served for Ali Baba, Morgiana, the thieves, and Ali's family? Cite at least 5 examples from the story evidencing how justice prevailed despite many harrowing plot twists.

Essay Topic 3

Ask students to re-read the Tale of Nur Al-Din Ali And His Son Badr Al-Din Hasan, especially keeping in mind the intent behind Shahrazad's seemingly innocuous intent. Write down the points/situations at which suspense was created, and how. After getting into groups, discussing and compiling the best and most poignant moments, individually write an essay revolving around the many ways by which Shahrazad created suspense throughout this tale.

(see the answer keys)

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