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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 Kirsha believe is replacing public recitations?

2. What does Hamida feel for Abbas as they walk together?

3. What does Kirsha blame himself for his wife's behavior?

4. Why were Zaita's parents happy when he was born?

5. How does the boy respond to Kirsha's invitation to come to his cafe?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Jaada do that causes Husniya to beat him continually?

2. How does Kirsha react to the gossip about his homosexual adventures?

3. To what does Radwan Hussain compare evil?

4. How long as Hamida been gone when Abbas comes home, and what efforts have been made to find her?

5. What has caused Sheikh Darwish to weep and how so loudly that all the alley can hear him?

6. Why does Radwan Hussainy tell Salim Alwan that he is better off with his sickness than others are with their health?

7. As the story ends, what are the residents of the alley preparing to celebrate?

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

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

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

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

Characters in the story face strong internal conflicts as well as external conflicts with people or circumstances. Select two characters who do battle inside themselves and analyze their conflicts.

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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