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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 suggests that Amina tell Ahmad that she fell down the stairs to explain her broken bone?

2. What does Khadija catch Aisha doing in Chapter 22 that explains her reasons for doting on her appearance?

3. Who are quarreling when Amina tells them she is leaving the house?

4. What does Amina see as her sign of dedication for her husband?

5. Who is named second in command of the house while Amina rests from her injury?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. How is Yasin and Amina's visit to the al-Husayn shrine described?

5. How are Ahmad's actions to those outside his household described?

6. How is Aisha's beauty regimine described in the book?

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

8. How are Amina's duties on her roof described in Chapter 6?

9. How are Kamal's "story hungry" actions described in Chapter 9?

10. How is Ahmad's daily ritual each morning described?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine the nature of the family coffee hour in the book. What is telling of the family's fear of Ahmad based on the openness of their coffee hour discussions?

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast Ahmad's dual personalities with his family and outside in public. How is the reader able to know Ahmad's true nature based on the secret fantasies he has about others in public?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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