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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 the name of Khalil's brother who looks at Khadija?

2. What task does Aisha ask Khadija's help with in preparation for her wedding?

3. What does Ahmad say he does not do to his friends that take wives and daughters on outings with them?

4. Who visits Ahmad at his store at the beginning of Chapter 35?

5. Who is the only one to have an appetite in the family in Chapter 57?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is Amina's homecoming described after Ahmad sends her a pardon to return?

2. What is the nature of Iffat's visit to Ahmad's store in Chapter 60?

3. What happens when Yasin finds the maid Nur on the roof of the house?

4. How does Fahmy react when the first martyrs start dying in the revolution?

5. Why does Fahmy believe British troops have set up camp across from Abd al-Jawad's doorstep?

6. What are Fahmy's views on nationalism, as described in Chapter 52?

7. What occurs when Ahmad and his sons attend the Friday prayer service in Chapter 61?

8. How are Aisha's new surroundings described after she is married and Amina, Khadaji, and Kamal visit her?

9. How is Ahmad's visit with Umm Maryam described in Chapter 51?

10. How does Khadija react when Aisha asks her for help sewing her wedding gown?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the nature of ritual in Ahmad's home. Why does Ahmad's family agree to perform the daily rituals and chores he demands of them?

Essay Topic 2

Examine the role that superstition plays in Amina's life and the connections they have to her pious faith. What is telling of Amina's faith based on her superstitious rituals and speeches in the book?

Essay Topic 3

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?

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