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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 does Ahmad congratulate himself for not doing like Yasin when reprimanding him in Chapter 58?

2. What is Yasin filled with on the day of his wedding?

3. On whom does most of the household burdens fall after Amina is evicted?

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

5. What does Fahmy read a letter about from the Wafd Delegation to the Sultan in protest of?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

7. What is the nature of Fahmy and Yasin's conversation in Chapter 41?

8. How does Kamal tell Ahmad that he wants Amina back in their house?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine the role fate plays in the lives of Ahmad's children who refuse to argue with his rules, especially about marriage. What is telling of Aisha based on her decision to leave being married up to fate?

Essay Topic 2

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?

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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