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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. While Lostris is pregnant, what is the one thing she asks for that she does not get?
(a) Freedom for Taita.
(b) A new palace in Thebes.
(c) A promotion for Tanus.
(d) Snow from Syria.

2. Just past the fourth cataract, what do the Egyptians encounter for the first time in their lives?
(a) Rain.
(b) Snow.
(c) Hunger.
(d) Trees.

3. What is Memnon's reaction to the hunt?
(a) He becomes bloodthirsty.
(b) He is stone-faced and silent.
(c) He kneels in the plain and cries.
(d) He has tears in his eyes.

4. Why does Queen Lostris establish a stone monument just past the first cataract?
(a) To honor the army, particularly its leader Tanus.
(b) To honor her dead husband.
(c) As a vow to her people that she would return.
(d) To commemorate the work of the five men who brought the ships through.

5. When Taita works the Mazes of Ammon-Ra to receive guidance about the Hyksos problem, how does his vision begin?
(a) With the goddess Hapi.
(b) With the sound of thunder.
(c) With a forest of crowned trees.
(d) With a long green snake.

Short Answer Questions

1. When do the Egyptians begin to flee toward their ships away from the Hyksos?

2. How old is Prince Memnon when a messenger brings news of the fall of the Lower Kingdom?

3. According to ancient Egyptian belief, what causes the Nile to flood?

4. How does the goddess Hapi answer the travelers' prayers at the beginning of their voyage?

5. When Tanus accuses Lord Intef of being the chief of the Shrikes, what is Lord Intef's reaction?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do the common people love Lostris? What does she do to encourage their love? How does she prepare the way for their acceptance of Memnon as rule?

2. What is the bittersweet ending to Tanus's life? Why does he never tell Memnon the truth of his paternity? Do you think Tanus dies in peace?

3. Why do Lostris and Tanus disagree over the fate of the Hyksos horses? How does this argument illustrate their respective places in society?

4. At age five, how does Memnon begin to assert himself? How does Smith draw out the contradictions between his age and his social position? What does Memnon's attitude predict for the future?

5. Why do you think Smith goes into details about the mummification of Pharaoh's body? Is this fitting to the novel? Especially in relation to Taita's character, since he is involved in the embalming, do the details add to or detract from the story?

6. Why will so few people ride astride a horse? (Throughout the novel, only Hui, Taita, and Memnon dare this.) What reaction do they get when people see them astride the horses? Why do you think they get this reaction?

7. Who is Arkoun? Why is he a powerful man? At the same time, what in Taita's descriptions portray him as a pathetic man?

8. What is the reaction of both Tanus and Pharaoh to the news of Lostris's pregnancy? What do their reactions say about their personal priorities?

9. How does the love between Memnon and Masara mirror the love between Tanus and Lostris? How is it different?

10. The Egyptians are terrified at the approach of the Hyksos army. What are the reasons for their fear? Do these fears contradict or affirm their previous actions as warriors? Who understands the importance of this eastern enemy the best?

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