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 Ahmad say when Amina asks him about Fahmy marrying Maryam?

2. Who shares a dream about being pushed off a roof with her family?

3. What does Khadija demand a confession of from Aisha in addition to never watching the policeman again?

4. What is Ahmad's assistant waiting to hear recited by a sheikh in Chapter 7?

5. For what reason must Aisha make her confession, according to Khadija in Chapter 22?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Yasin prowl for women in Chapter 12?

2. How does the family react to Ahmad's announcement that Aisha cannot marry in Chapter 26?

3. How is Yasin's meeting with his mother described in Chapter 18?

4. How does Yasin remember his happy childhood ruined by a fruit merchant?

5. How is Kamal's visit to Maryam in Chapter 21 described?

6. How does Ahmad react when a matchmaker hints that Mme. Nafusa wanted to be his second wife?

7. How are Ahmad and Mme. Zubayda's interactions described in Chapter 14?

8. How does Amina's sons react when they come to visit her at her mother's house just after her exile?

9. What happens to Amina after her broken collarbone has healed?

10. What is the nature of Yasin's complaints about his mother when he visits Ahmad in Chapter 17?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The concept of marriage is one subject that is discussed by numerous characters throughout the book, each with his/her own ideas of what it represents.

Part 1.) How do characters like Aisha and Khadija feel about the notion of marriage?

Part 2.) What reasons does Ahmad have for not allowing his children to be married when they wish?

Part 3.) What is telling about the nature of marriage in the book based on Yasin's experience?

Essay Topic 2

Early in the book, it becomes clear that there is a pointed difference in the way the men and women of Ahmad's family are treated.

Part 1.) What can we learn about the difference between men and women in Ahmad's household based on the morning rituals of each in his house?

Part 2.) What is telling about the time period of the book based on the treatment of men and women in the book?

Part 3.) What can we learn about the nature of Ahmad's character based on his treatment of men and women in the book?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the concept of submission in the book, notably through Ahmad and Amina's relationship. What might Amina feel that submitting to her husband would represent in terms of her culture and social beliefs?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 781 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample