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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. What is on a provocative poster that Kamal looks at along with the shrine of al-Husayn?

2. How many years has Amina been married to her husband?

3. What is the name of the girl that is the foster daughter of the singer Zubayda?

4. What about Amina's husband could not be questioned because he was male?

5. Who is the first character seen in Chapter 8?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. How is Amina's mother described when she goes to stay with her during her exile?

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

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

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

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

8. What does Fahmy do while sitting on a roof with Kamal in Chapter 10?

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

10. How are Ahmad's actions at a party where he hires Zubayda to sing described?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine the nature of the British troops in Cairo, notably those that Kamal and other members of Ahmad's family interacted with. What is telling about these troops' civilized nature that suggests Fahmy's ideologies may be flawed?

Essay Topic 2

Examine the author's portrayal of Egyptian society in the book, and note if Ahmad fits into this portrayal or not. What clues can be found to suggest that Ahmad's household rituals are more extreme than the norm in Egypt?

Essay Topic 3

Examine the symbolism of author's use of religious and political figures in the book, notably Martyr al-Husayn and Sa'd Zaghlul. What tone might the author be trying to set to describe the impact these figures had on Egyptian culture?

(see the answer keys)

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