View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why are Lord Nembet and most of his men killed by the Hyksos?
(a) The men were poor archers.
(b) Lord Nembet laughed at Tanus's warning letter.
(c) Lord Nembet had not trained them well.
(d) The men were sailors not warriors.

2. Why does Lostris wait in the palace as the Hyksos approach?
(a) She would rather die in her palace than be a wanderer.
(b) She will not board the ship until all her people are onboard.
(c) She wants to test Tanus's love.
(d) She does not realize the Hyksos are so close.

3. When some passengers are reluctant to travel south into Africa, where do they disembark?
(a) At the southern border.
(b) At the first cataract.
(c) At Thebes.
(d) At Elephantine Island.

4. What crude surgery does Taita perform to save the horses stricken with the gnu illness?
(a) Slits their nostrils so they can breathe.
(b) Cuts out their tongues so they do not swallow them and choke.
(c) Cuts a slit in their sides so the pus does not reach their lungs.
(d) Cuts a hole in their windpipes and inserts a straw.

5. Where does the Shepherd King shoot his first arrow as the battle begins?
(a) Randomly into the Egyptian troops.
(b) Toward Tanus.
(c) Into Taita's leg.
(d) Into Pharaoh's throne.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Taita think he deserves to be called the best artist in all the land?

2. How are the Hyksos a backward people, according to Taita?

3. When some Egyptians want to leave the caravan ships traveling south, what does Queen Lostris do?

4. After Lostris gives birth to a daughter, how soon must Taita have another dream to explain another pregnancy?

5. When does Memnon first see Masara, prisoner of the Ethiopian king Arkoun?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

2. 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?

3. What is Taita's reaction to the birth of Memnon? How does he slightly bridge the gap between the roles that both Tanus and Pharaoh play in Lostris's life?

4. Why does Queen Lostris demand an elaborate tomb for her husband? What does this say about her loyalty to Pharaoh and does it contradict her order that Egyptians would not make their home in the land of Cush?

5. Why does Nembet disregard Tanus's warning about the Hyksos army? What does this say about gaining a military reputation in ancient Egypt? What ultimate price does Nembet pay?

6. As the great journey south begins, why does Queen Lostris not board her ship? Is this a good example of her leadership? Why?

7. Both Tanus and Taita are struck with longing for Ethiopians possessions: the blue sword and the horses, respectively. How do these passion signal deep trouble in the future? How do these desires change the men's thinking?

8. 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?

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

10. How does Pharaoh bring justice following the revelation of Lord Intef as Akh-Seth? How is his punishment for the Shrikes suitable? Additionally, how is it the harshest punishment an Egyptian can suffer?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 2,226 words (approx. 8 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample