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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 Wagdi recall?

2. Which boarder is built like a wrestler?

3. Who was Wagdi's late master?

4. From whom does Zohra turn down a marriage proposal.

5. Where does Hosny pick up a girl?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Hosny's attitude towards Zohra change?

2. What is the general atmosphere at the beginning of the Umm Kulthum concert, and how does that change?

3. Describe Mansour Bahy.

4. Who announces Sarhan's death and what is Hosny's reaction?

5. About what is Amer dreaming when he hears a ruckus in the hallway?

6. Why is Sarhan fighting a drunken Hosny in the hall one evening?

7. What does Mariana offer Zohra and what does Amer fear about Zohra?

8. Describe Sarhan al-Beheiry.

9. Why does Hosny move to Miramar and what is his first thought about Zohra?

10. What commotion in the hallway does Hosny respond to, and what does he do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Politics and religion both play major roles in "Miramar". Discuss the following;

1. Thoroughly trace and analyze Amer Wagdi's thoughts and beliefs about religion, using specific examples from the text. Do the same with one other character of your choice.

2. Compare/contrast the political beliefs and past activities of Amer Wagdi with that of Tolba Marzuq. How are they alike? How are they different? Which views do you find more appealing? Why?

3. Choose one other character and thoroughly trace/analyze his/her political views and past and present activities. How important are the views to the character? How do the views influence his/her choices? Are the views rationale?

4. Choose one other character and thoroughly trace/analyze his/her religious views and past and present activities. How important are the views to the character? How do the views influence his/her choices? Are the views rationale?

Essay Topic 2

Naguib Mahfouz has tried as much as possible to use historical events and facts around which to weave his work of fiction. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think "Miramar" qualifies as an historical fiction? Why or why not?

2. If much of the events in the book are historical, what surprises you about the way the events play out?

3. What surprises you about the culture of late 1960s Egypt?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. Discuss the theme of choice in "Miramar". Who makes wise choices? Who makes unwise choices? Do you think Sarhan believes more in fate or free will? Why?

2. Debate the following statement in an argument/persuasion essay: Making several poor choices one after the other makes it more likely one will continue to make poor choices.

3. Rewrite the ending with Sarhan making what you think would be a wiser choice and then discuss why you believe it would be a better choice.

(see the answer keys)

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