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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What did Mernissi's mother say she wanted for her daughters when they were older?
(a) To know how to play an instrument.
(b) To know how to cook.
(c) To live in a happy harem.
(d) Exciting, happy lives.

2. What book did Mernissi's mother request that her husband read to her?
(a) A Thousand and One Nights.
(b) The Liberation of Women.
(c) Pride and Prejudice.
(d) Egyptian Political History.

3. What game did Yasmina create to help Mernissi fall asleep in "The French Harem"?
(a) Making up adventure stories.
(b) The walk in the open fields.
(c) Counting stars.
(d) Counting sheep.

4. What kind of clothing did Mernissi wear when she was young?
(a) Traditional dress.
(b) School uniforms.
(c) Western dress.
(d) Pants and shirt.

5. What was the name of the French city described in "The French Harem"?
(a) Medina.
(b) New France.
(c) Petite Paris.
(d) Ville Nouvelle.

6. At what time did the doorkeeper in Mernissi's childhood home turn off the stair lights at night?
(a) Midnight.
(b) 10 p.m.
(c) 8 p.m.
(d) 9 p.m.

7. What does Zin mean?
(a) Desire.
(b) Scholarship.
(c) Swiftness.
(d) Beauty.

8. What does the Morrocan word "Allemane" mean?
(a) Bitter.
(b) German.
(c) Picture.
(d) Cold.

9. How does Mernissi describe the harem she lived in in Fez?
(a) A fun castle.
(b) A comforting safe haven.
(c) Like a storybook fantasy.
(d) Like a fortress.

10. Where did Asmahan have a beauty spot on her face?
(a) Left side of her chin.
(b) Cheek.
(c) Just below her right eye.
(d) Forehead.

11. What was Yaya's favorite color?
(a) Yellow.
(b) Red.
(c) Green.
(d) Silver.

12. Why did Aunt Habiba have to live in Mernissi's father's household?
(a) She was divorced.
(b) She was widowed.
(c) Her husband was a relative.
(d) She and her husband had lost her home during the war.

13. What did Mernissi fear about going down the dark stairs at night in her childhood home?
(a) Fear of falling.
(b) Fear of rats.
(c) Fear of demons.
(d) Fear of doorkeeper.

14. Who played the part of the Prince Hassan in the play about Asmahan?
(a) Samir.
(b) Fatima.
(c) Zin.
(d) Chama.

15. What did Mernissi's mother do before going to the movies?
(a) Bought enough tickets for the whole harem.
(b) Applied make-up and styled her hair.
(c) Had a dinner party.
(d) Made popcorn.

Short Answer Questions

1. What rank did Lalla Thor have on Grandfather Tazi's farm?

2. What was shape of the house on Grandfather Tazi's farm where the harem lived?

3. How many communal tables were there at Mernissi's house in Fez?

4. What did Mernissi and her cousin sleep on when they stayed overnight with Aunt Habiba?

5. How does Mernissi describe "Hanan"?

(see the answer keys)

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