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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. In Chapter 5, how many trenches are dug in the courtyard of Saeed's apartment building for public toilets?

2. In Chapter 3, how many of Saeed's fellow employees stop showing up?

3. What weapons does the brave man have in Chapter 4?

4. In Chapter 1 when Saeed and his parents star gaze on the balcony, what do they drink?

5. In Chapter 5, where does Saeed's father go everyday?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 1, how are Saeed and Nadia described?

2. Why does Saeed's father not wish to go with Nadia and Saeed when they leave?

3. Why is Saeed surprised when he sees Nadia's mode of transportation in Chapter 1?

4. In Chapter 3, what is said about the city getting telephone after independence?

5. In Chapter 4, how does Nadia spend her lunch hours?

6. In Chapter 1, when Saeed asks Nadia to coffee, how much fighting has the city seen where they live?

7. Where would Nadia and Saeed like to travel and why?

8. In Chapter 5, what things is Nadia able to get from her apartment?

9. What is said about Nadia and school at the beginning of Chapter 2?

10. In Chapter 4, how does Saeed try to find Nadia when the phones are shut off?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Nadia and Saeed find themselves in a huge, empty mansion when they go through a door in Greece. What does the mansion reveal about the essentials and inessentials of life? What does the mansion symbolize?

Essay Topic 2

The author uses foreshadowing to provide hints to readers of events to come. What are some events that are foreshadowed in the novel? How does the foreshadowing affect suspense in the novel? How does it affect the storyline?

Essay Topic 3

The mood in the novel changes as war encroaches on the city, and Nadia and Saeed have to leave their city. What is the mood of the novel during the scenes in the city? How does the mood change as Nadia and Saeed move? What is the overall mood of the novel?

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