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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 gift does Taita leave on Tanus's coffin before the tomb is sealed?
(a) A carving of Tanus's likeness.
(b) A statue of Lostris.
(c) The blue sword.
(d) His bow Lanata.

2. What would happen if Lostris bore the illegitimate child of another man?
(a) She would not be allowed to keep the child.
(b) She would be beheaded.
(c) She would be ostracized from society.
(d) She would lose the crown.

3. Why do the Egyptians want to meet the Cush people?
(a) Because they want to understand this foreign land fully.
(b) Because they need guidance about the geography.
(c) Because they need allies.
(d) Because they need slaves.

4. Why do the Hyksos pass by their victims rather than running straight into them?
(a) They prefer to intimidate the troops first.
(b) They can lean over the chariot edge and engage in swordplay.
(c) They do not want to sacrifice their horses.
(d) The knives on their chariot wheels cut apart the men.

5. Who enticed the Hyksos to attack Thebes with promises of treasure?
(a) Salitis.
(b) Hui.
(c) Lord Intef.
(d) Pharaoh.

Short Answer Questions

1. What dream does Taita have to explain Lostris's pregnancy?

2. After passing the first cataract, what animal do Taita and his charioteers hunt?

3. Why does Lostris establish a dozen hospitals and hotels for poor people in Thebes?

4. Why are the Egyptians easily able to capture the Shilluk village in Cush?

5. What task does Queen Lostris give to Lord Aqer?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do the Egyptian ships navigate through the cataracts? How is this a testimony to their technological skill, especially because of Taita?

2. 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?

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. 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?

5. 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?

6. What does Taita call the worst day in Egypt's history? Why does he say this? How is he one of the central characters in the actions of this day, though it may not seem like it?

7. 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?

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. What is Pharaoh's reaction to the revelation of Akh-Seth? How does this demonstrate his weakness as a leader?

10. How does Taita explain Lostris's second pregnancy? Why does the council believe him? What from Lostris's reputation prepares them to believe Taita's story?

(see the answer keys)

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