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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. How does Zohra feel about Sarhan?

2. What did Zohra's grandfather do that made Zohra run away?

3. About what does Mahmoud want Sarhan's advice?

4. Who is Mansour's brother?

5. Who does Mansour think is the life of the party on the night of the Umm Kulthum concert

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Mansour's further impression of Zohra and how does he feel towards her?

2. Summarize Mansour's analysis of the time the boarders spend together the night of the Umm Kulthum concert.

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

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

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

6. Briefly describe Mansour's meeting with his longtime friend Fawzi.

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

8. How does Mahmoud inadvertently give Sarhan an excuse to move out of living with Safeya, and what does he say about marriage?

9. What happens when Sarhan tries to kiss Zohra for the first time, and what is Zohra's reaction?

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

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

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. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of "Miramar", identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in Miramar. (They may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not.

4. Many writers and critics say there are only a few plots in the world of fiction; it's what an author does with a plot that distinguishes a mediocre book from an outstanding book. Respond to this idea, using examples from Miramar and other books you have read.

(see the answer keys)

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