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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 do Sarhan and Safeya do in Mahmoud's presence?

2. Why is Mansour bitter?

3. Who does Mariana thwart from interacting with Zohra?

4. Who does Sarhan get interested in marrying after learning her family has money?

5. What happens when Sarhan is with Zohara?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why is Mansour at the Miramar and how does he feel about that?

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

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

5. What are Mansour's first impressions of Zohra?

6. What does Mansour do when he learns of Fawzi's arrest?

7. When does Sarhan first see Zohra and what does he do?

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

9. What are Sarhan's quick impressions of Hosny and Mansour?

10. How does Sarhan's relationship with Aleya develop?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the world of academe, historical fiction is often considered an inferior form of the novel compared to "classic" literature. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think historical fiction might be considered second-rate compared to the classics?

2. Do you think historical fiction has the same elements as the classics? Why or why not?

3. What are the purposes do you think for people reading "the classics"? What are the purposes for people reading historical fiction? Is one purpose better than another? Explain your response.

4. Would you read historical fiction even outside an educational setting? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of growth in "Miramar". Consider the following questions as you write: What characters most need to grow as humans? Why? Give examples. Why characters seem to have reached close to their full emotional/mental growth? Why? Give examples What are some symbols of growth? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of mental/emotional illness or immaturity in the book. Which characters struggle with some sort of emotional illness? Why? Which characters seem really healthy emotionally/mentally? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of tradition in "Miramar". What is Amer's view of tradition? Mariana's? Sarhan? Hosny? Zohra? Why is tradition important to some characters? Is anyone willing to abandon traditional viewpoints? Who? What are the positive and negative aspects to tradition?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Define irony in literary terms. Discuss the irony of the situation that Hosny is not as well educated as most of the other boarders and can neither read nor write well and yet is considered upper class and feels superior to the other boarders at the Miramar. Discuss two other ironic situations in the book. Do you think the author intends irony towards the characters and their behaviors?

2. Define symbolism in literary terms. Discuss the use and meaning of five symbols you choose to analyze from "Miramar". What do they symbolize? Is the symbolism obvious? Effective? Does the symbolism contribute to the enjoyment of reading?

3. Discuss five literary devices that occur in Mirama and how they are used. Are they effective? Do they add or detract from the reading of the book? Why or why not. Some possible techniques: allusion, connotation, denouement, dialogue, flashback, figurative language, motif, metaphor, narrator, point of view, simile, mood, and puns.

(see the answer keys)

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