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

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Ibrahim Faraj stop himself from having sex with Hamida?

2. Where does the English instructor say the girls learn English best?

3. What is the first thing Ibrahim Faraj makes Hamida change?

4. What has Abbas learned while he has been away from the alley?

5. What moment marks the dividing point between Hamida's two lives?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The story ends as it began, with a description of the alley. Do you think that Mahfouz would agree with the statement, "The more things change, the more they remain the same?" Or would he agree with Sheikh Darwish's statement, "There's never a heart that doesn't change?" In your essay, take one side or the other and defend your position with facts from the text.

Essay Topic 2

A character foil is one whose characteristics provide a contrast to a main character. Is Hussain Kirsha a character foil for Abbas? Why or why not? Compare and contrast the characters of the two young men.

Essay Topic 3

A protagonist in a story is the character who suffers most and learns most. Is there a single protagonist in this story? If so, who is the protagonist? Use evidence from the text to support your point of view.

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