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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Mrs. Afify suspect is causing Umm Hamida to delay in finding her a husband?
(a) Umm Hamida is distracted by Hamida's engagement.
(b) Umm Hamida is taking the best man for herself.
(c) Umm Hamida wants more money than they agreed upon.
(d) Umm Hamida can't find a suitable man.

2. How does Hamida react when she learns that Salim Alwan wants to marry her?
(a) Hamida determines to be loyal to Abbas.
(b) Hamida reminds Umm Hamida that she is already engaged.
(c) Hamida is outraged.
(d) Hamida is pleased.

3. How does Zaita react to being compared with Jaada?
(a) He is unsurprised.
(b) He is encouraged in his pursuit of Husniya.
(c) He is flattered.
(d) He is insulted.

4. How often does Jaada go to the baths?
(a) Each month.
(b) Weekly.
(c) Daily.
(d) Twice a year.

5. What does Kirsha believe is replacing public recitations?
(a) The radio.
(b) Television.
(c) Musical performers.
(d) Individual memorization.

6. Why do people in the alley avoid Zaita?
(a) His thieving nature.
(b) His offensive profession.
(c) His unfriendly attitude.
(d) His offensive odor.

7. How has Dr. Booshy earned his title?
(a) His patients call him "doctor."
(b) He was apprenticed to a dentist.
(c) He studied at the university in Cairo.
(d) He studied dentistry abroad.

8. How much older is Mrs. Afify than her prospective husband?
(a) Twenty years.
(b) Two years.
(c) Fifteen years.
(d) Ten years.

9. How does Zaita know the intimate details of the bakers' lives?
(a) Husniya tells him everything.
(b) He can hear their arguing through the wall.
(c) Jaada confides in him.
(d) He spies through a hole in the wall.

10. How is Hamida's engagement to Abbas confirmed?
(a) By signing a contract.
(b) By giving Hamida a diamond ring.
(c) By pledging before witnesses.
(d) By the reading of the Qur'an.

11. Why does Mrs. Kirsha hesitate to confront Kirsha about his erotic adventures?
(a) She does not want her son to find out.
(b) She does not want to hurt his feelings.
(c) She is afraid of his anger.
(d) She does not want to provide scandal for the gossips.

12. Why does Salim Alwan avoid a political career?
(a) He does not understand politics.
(b) He does not like politics.
(c) He has never been invited to participate in politics.
(d) He makes more money in commerce.

13. Why do the residents of the alley think they've been suffering during the war?
(a) Due to their own wickedness.
(b) Due to random chance.
(c) Due to the wickedness of the British.
(d) Due to the malice of the gods.

14. When does Zaita begin work?
(a) At sundown.
(b) At noon.
(c) At sunup.
(d) At midnight.

15. How is Radwan Hussainy regarded by pious men like himself?
(a) Radwan Hussainy is limited and weak.
(b) Radwan Hussainy is a scholar with great learning.
(c) Radwan Hussainy is their teacher of the Qur'an.
(d) Radwan Hussainy is a saintly man of god.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Salim Alwan want from Hamida?

2. How does Hussain Kirsha feel about his father's erotic adventures?

3. How does Hamida deal with moral issues?

4. How do the residents of the alley believe women should be treated?

5. How does Husniya react when Zaita reveals himself to her?

(see the answer keys)

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