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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 Mansour visit after learning of the arrest?

2. Who does Mansour learn is arrested?

3. What does Mansour try to do while Zohra is making his bed?

4. Who does Mariana thwart from interacting with Zohra?

5. What does Sarhan declare has brought him and Zohra together?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. What do Mansour and Amer discuss one night?

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

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

8. What does Mansour impulsively do when he meets Doreya at the zoo?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

1. Research the history of Egypt in the first 7 decades of the 20th century and write a summary of what you learn that is relevant to understanding the political situation in "Miramar".

2. Research the basic tenets of Islam and explain how Islam informs the plot and characters in "Miramar".

3. Do you believe it makes for a more sophisticated and enjoyable reading of a book such as "Miramar" to understand the basic political and religious forces at play in the book? Explain fully with examples from the text.

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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