View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. In "The Falcon," what does one of the workers call the engineers?

2. What town did Umm Saad used to live in?

3. What is Nabil's father doing when he wakes up?

4. When did Jadaan fall in love?

5. What does Jadaan say about falcons and death?

Short Essay Questions

1. Briefly describe the story of the Nar.

2. How does Umm Saad want to support her son?

3. Why is Umm Saad disappointed when the narrator tells her that soldiers have no need for mothers?

4. How is Abdallah different from Jadaan in their jobs?

5. How is Umm Saad related to the narrator, and how is this revealed?

6. How is Jadaan similar to Nar?

7. Why would it be irrational for Suhail to think that he stuck his fingers in the corpse's eyes?

8. What does Nabil learn about the graveyard seven years later?

9. How does Jadaan show his indifference to everyone around him?

10. What did Jadaan do after he met the red-haired woman?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Symbolism is a device used in many literary pieces, including "A Hand in the Grave." What ideas or people most readily serve as symbols in the story? What symbols do you find surprising? Which symbol is the strongest? Remember to answer each question with evidence from the story.

Essay Topic 2

In "A Hand in the Grave," Nabil and his father may share the same blood, but they are very different, and often fight. How does the father see his son? How does Nabil see the father? How would you describe their relationship in general? Remember to answer each question with evidence from the story.

Essay Topic 3

"Letter from Gaza" is the story in the collection that most prominently displays the effects of war. Name and describe three effects of war displayed in the story. How do they influence the characters? Remember to answer each question with evidence from the story.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 614 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample