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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 does Husniya tell Zaita he must do before he can talk to people?

2. What does Hamida believe is everything in life?

3. Why does Hamida fear marriage?

4. How long will Abbas be in the service of the British army?

5. Why is Umma Hamida pleased with Salim Alwan's offer?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why has Salim Alwan decided to take a second wife?

2. When Kirsha shows anger toward Sheikh Darwish, he appeals to Zainab. Who is she and why does Sheikh Darwish pray to her?

3. What change takes place in Kirsha's cafe in Chapter One and what does this change represent?

4. Why does Uncle Kamil have nothing more to do with Salim Alwan?

5. How does Radwan Hussainy feel about boredom?

6. How do Hamida and her friends feel about the Jewish girls that work in Cairo?

7. Why does Mrs. Kirsha go to Radwan Hussainy to complain of her husband's behavior?

8. What does Hamida mean when she quotes the saying to her foster mother, "It's always the carpenter's door that's falling apart?"

9. Why does Kirsha come to Radwan Hussainy's home?

10. What does Zaita say was the summer resort of his childhood?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The effects of World War II on the Egyptian residents of Midaq Alley are far different than the effects of people of different economic and social strata, and on people in different parts of the world. Using the text, explain how the war has affected these characters.

Essay Topic 2

Determine what the main theme of Midaq Alley is, and support your answer with evidence from the book. Where is this theme seen in the book? How is it exemplified? Who does it affect? What role does it have in the plot?

Essay Topic 3

Much of the conversation among alley residents contains old sayings that are familiar to them: "A good jug pours forth good water." It is always the carpenter's door that needs repair," " Only a fool refuses generosity." Scan through the book and select several of these proverbs to explain. Use the context in which they are spoken for your explanations.

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This section contains 685 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample