View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Amer think Plato's writings gave Socrates?

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

3. What does Sarhan say he and Zohra have in common?

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

5. By what does Mansour think Zohra is probably driven?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

8. How does Ali convince Sarhan to join him in the heist?

9. What do Mansour and Amer discuss one night?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Sarhan commits suicide (presumably). Discuss the following:

1. Trace and analyze five major events that leads up to Sarhan's suicide. Could any of them have been altered? What does each event contribute to Sarhan's fateful decision?

2. Suicide is often considered by people who feel they have no other options. Do you think Sarhan is at that point when he kills himself? What other options does Sarhan have (consider the times and culture in which Sarhan lives)?

3. Is Sarhan's suicide an act of courage? Stupidity? Selfishness? Do you hold him responsible for the impact his death will have on those who love him? How do you think they will be affected?

4. Do you think Sarhan's friends are partly to blame for the his problems? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

"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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,057 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample