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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 grade is Nadira in at school in the novel?

2. What are seven liberal arts colleges in the Northeastern United States that are historically women's colleges?

3. Who blames herself for being unable to convince the immigration officials to let Uncle out in Section 8: Chapter 10?

4. Barnard College is located in what neighborhood of Manhattan?

5. How long ago does Aisha say her family came to the United States in Section 14: Chapter 17?

Short Essay Questions

1. What memory of her father does Nadira relate in the beginning of Section 11: Chapter 13?

2. What does Aisha do with her college acceptance letters in Section 13: Chapter 16? Why?

3. What discovery does Nadira make regarding her mother in Section 12: Chapter 15?

4. What commotion awakens Nadira in Section 8: Chapter 10? How is the scene described?

5. What is the judge's response to Nadira's statements to the court in Section 12: Chapter 15?

6. What does Nadira discover about Lily Yee's father in Section 9: Chapter 11? How?

7. Who does Nadira meet on the Barnard campus during Aisha's interview in Section 10: Chapter 12? What does she think of the campus?

8. What is the treatment like that Nadira's family receives at the police station in Section 8: Chapter 10?

9. Who joins Nadira's family at the police station in Section 8: Chapter 10? What is the reaction to his presence?

10. How does Nadira describe the setting of the apartment in Section 9: Chapter 11? What do Nadira and Aisha do to help the situation?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and analyze the major conflicts and obstacles for the Hossains in the novel. What external conflicts do the Hossains face? What internal conflicts plague the protagonist? How do each of these conflicts serve to create tension and suspense in the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the theme of moral goodness in the novel. How is this theme related through Abba's past and his brother's death? How does Nadira represent this theme through her actions?

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the characters of Taslima and Aisha in the narrative. What does Taslima represent symbolically to both Nadira and Aisha? What leads Aisha to assist Taslima in running away to elope with Tim in the novel? How does the family respond to this digression?

(see the answer keys)

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