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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 Sarhan declare the first time Zohra brings him tea?

2. Why does Sarhan want to cultivate a relationship with Mansour?

3. Who does Mansour learn is arrested?

4. Why does Mansour "dismiss" in his mind Amer and Tolba?

5. What does Sarhan long to do about Safeya?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Sarhan do the first time Zohra delivers tea to his room and how do the two interact over the next several days?

2. What does Sarhan say about Mariana when he asks to rent a room and how does Zohra act when she sees him at the Miramar?

3. How does Mansour react to Sarhan's announcement that he intends to marry Aleya?

4. What are Ali and Sarhan's plans to gain money?

5. Why does Doreya say Mansour is four years too late and what is his response?

6. Wat does Sarhan say about the Umm Kulthum concert?

7. What do Mansour and Amer discuss one night?

8. What are Mansour's first impressions of some of the boarders at the Miramar?

9. Describe the fight with Safeya, Zohra and Sarhan from Sarhan's perspective.

10. Describe Sarhan's encounter with Tolba on the street.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss one of the following in relation to The Awakening:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Sarhan al-Beheiry and Hosny Allam. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Is either man's beliefs more worthy than the other? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Sarhan al-Beheiry and Mansour Bahy. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how two of the secondary characters help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

Essay Topic 2

"Miramar" ends on an unhappy or seemingly morbid note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why? not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of "Miramar" and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why "Miramar" is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Many events that happen in "Miramar" are foreshadowed by previous events and/or signs. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "foreshadow."

2. Why would an author use foreshadowing? Do you think it adds or detracts from your experience as a reader? Explain.

3. Trace and analyze five instances of foreshadowing in the story. Match up what is mentioned earlier and what it foreshadows. Did you guess that each instance of foreshadowing was a "heads up" of something to come? Why or why not.

(see the answer keys)

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