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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Shufti the baron offer Tanus in return for twenty of his "slave girls"?
(a) A letter of safe passage.
(b) A thousand gold rings.
(c) A shrike bird feather.
(d) His protection.

2. How is Lostris thrown from the Breath of Horus?
(a) The rowers take a curve too sharply.
(b) She tries to duck Tanus's arrow and falls.
(c) She is startled by Taita's shout and falls.
(d) The ship runs into the bull hippopotamus.

3. What is Pharaoh's primary concern for the future of his kingdom?
(a) That the kingdom is attacked by foreign armies.
(b) That he has no worthy male heir.
(c) That he has no male heir.
(d) That the kingdom is disintegrating from within.

4. How much time is Tanus given to restore order to the Upper Kingdom?
(a) One year.
(b) Two years.
(c) Two months.
(d) Ten years.

5. Who is bitterly saddened by what Taita displays over the harem wall?
(a) Lostris.
(b) Tanus.
(c) Lord Intef.
(d) Taita himself.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Taita keep separate from the crowds?

2. Once he is seated on the ark carrying his coffin, what unprecedented thing does Pharaoh do?

3. To what army regiment does Tanus belong?

4. Why was Taita made a eunuch when he was sixteen?

5. How do Egyptians treat their women in comparison to surrounding nations?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Lord Intef delighted to arrange the marriage between Lostris and Pharaoh? What plans does he reveal to Taita? How does even this brief interaction show Taita's unstable position in the court?

2. After Taita is whipped because he dares to petition for Lostris and Tanus's marriage, Lostris cares for his wounds. How does she reveal that she is still a child? What hope does the reader have that her marriage to Tanus will occur?

3. Explain Tanus's bow Lanata. How does this story about the weapon reveal Tanus's character?

4. How does Taita describe the hippo hunt? How does he see the animal in relation to divinity? What is the effect of the hippo hunt on Taita?

5. What is the significance in the fact that Tanus is nicknamed Akh-Horus? Is it important that Hui, a boy who defected from the Shrikes in exchange for his life, gives him this name?

6. What does Taita learn from his friend Tiamat about the Shrikes? How does this explain the destitution of Egypt and the weakness of Pharaoh?

7. When Taita works the Mazes for Pharaoh, what does he see? Why does he lie to the king about what he sees? What might the effect have been if he didn't lie?

8. What happens in the tombs during the three-day sandstorm? How does Taita reveal the deepest sadness that is in his heart? What does this say about his character?

9. In the days leading up to Lostris's wedding, Taita is not allowed to go near her. Even during the wedding ceremony, he stands at the back of the crowd and cannot see much. What is the literary significance of Taita's inability to see Lostris? How does this relate to Smith's silence about Tanus's reaction?

10. What is Tanus's reaction to the news of Lostris's coming marriage? What does this reveal about his character? Is this an admirable reaction?

(see the answer keys)

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