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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. Who does Sarhan decide he is going to marry?

2. Who has a monthly radio concert?

3. How old is Amer Wagdi when he returns to his old residence?

4. Why does Hosny move to the Miramar?

5. About what is Hosny certain when he sees Zohra?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Amer and Mariana complain about and plan?

2. Describe Hosny Allam.

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

4. How does Hosny feel about old people?

5. Where has Amer Wagdi moved and how long has it been since he was last there?

6. How does Amer respond to the news that Zohra is taking reading lessons, and how do others respond?

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

8. How do Zohra and Amer have a chance to talk and how does Zohra feel about the two older, male boarders?

9. How does Hosny feel towards marriage and women?

10. Describe Mansour Bahy.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss the character Zohra Salama. What are her strengths? Weaknesses? How does she evolve over the course of the story? Is she likable at the beginning of the story? Sympathetic? How do you view her by the end of the book? Do you think she is a protagonist or antagonist? Why

2. Thoroughly discuss the character Sarhan al-Beheiry . What are his strengths? Weaknesses? How does he evolve over the course of the story? (or does he?) Is he likable at the beginning of the story? At the end of the book? Is he trustworthy? Wise? Would you want him as a friend? As an enemy?

3. Thoroughly discuss Hosny Allam. What are his strengths? Weaknesses? How does he evolve over the course of the story? (or does he?) Is he likable at the beginning of the story? At the end of the book? Is he trustworthy? Wise? Would you want him as a friend? As an enemy?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss this book based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if it is a successful novel. Explain your rationale with specific examples.

3. Do you think the fact that "Miramar" falls within the genre of historical fiction changes the criteria upon which its success should be judged? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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