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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. How are the Shrike barons and Rasfer executed?
(a) Shot by a crew of archers.
(b) Starved to death in their prison cells.
(c) Nailed upside-down to the city gates.
(d) Thrown to the crocodiles.

2. 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 a long green snake.
(c) With the sound of thunder.
(d) With a forest of crowned trees.

3. Why is Taita able to build an experimental squadron of chariots?
(a) Tanus believes strongly in the military potential of the chariots.
(b) Tanus thinks the chariots are the only way to vanquish the Hyksos.
(c) Lostris is too proud to back down after she gave him the order.
(d) Taita is too stubborn to stop experimenting.

4. What is the constant problem with the first chariots?
(a) The chariots are very heavy.
(b) The wheels fall off.
(c) The horses are scared of them.
(d) The men cannot drive the horses.

5. How does Arkoun die?
(a) He receives a deep arrow wound in his chest.
(b) Tanus fatally stabs him.
(c) He falls off the castle bridge, a thousand feet down.
(d) Taita cuts off his head.

Short Answer Questions

1. What moment does Taita mark as the turning point in Egypt's history away from despair?

2. For the end of the Osiris festival, what did Taita design and build?

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

4. What do Taita's pregnancy tests for Lostris involve?

5. What is a large part of a physician's training?

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. 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?

3. What is the attitude of the Hyksos as they face the Egyptians in battle? What do you think is the reason for this arrogance? What has led them this far west?

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. 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?

6. 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?

7. 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?

8. 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?

9. 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?

10. 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?

(see the answer keys)

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