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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. Whose daughter does Ahmad announce Yasin will marry?

2. What does the author say Fahmy is obsessed with in Chapter 52?

3. Who visits Ahmad in Chapter 36 and gives him a verbal pounding?

4. Who gets married in Chapter 47?

5. Who does Yasin not invite to his wedding?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How is Yasin's wedding reception described?

3. What do Kamal and Umm Hanafi tell the others happened when they were chased by British troops?

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

5. Why is Fahmy stirred by politics in Chapter 48?

6. How is Kamal's life affected by the revolution according to Chapter 55?

7. How is Umm Maryam's visit to Ahmad's store described in Chapter 35?

8. What does Ahmad tell Khadija just before she is married?

9. What is the nature of Ahmad's reprimands towards Yasin in Chapter 58?

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

The subject of religion is discussed on many levels, including Amina's piety, the presence of holy figures, and talk of the Qur'an.

Part 1.) How does Amina represent pious and religious behavior in the book?

Part 2.) What purpose might the author have for including holy figures like al-Husayn and the sheikhs in the book?

Part 3.) What role does the Qur'an play in the book?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

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?

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