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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the mashrabiyya?

2. Why do Amal and Isabel find Sheikh Haroun's shrine padlocked in Chapter 15?

3. What does Layla pack into Anna's saddleback before Anna leaves for Sinai?

4. Which sea does Anna view on the way to Sinai?

5. Which character does Isabel love?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was the purpose of Anna's kidnapping?

2. How does Jasmine shock Isabel in Chapter 5?

3. How does Anna and Sharif's relationship change at St. Catherine's monastery?

4. How is 'Omar described at the beginning of the book?

5. In the early 20th century, how do the roles of men and women differ in Egypt?

6. How is Anna similar to Amal?

7. How are Amal and Isabel similar?

8. What are Sir Charles' views of colonialism?

9. How does Anna's appearance change as she travels to Sinai?

10. Describe Egypt's government in the early 20th century.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare Egypt's government in the early 20th century with its government in the late 20th century. How did the political climate and subsequent events in the early 20th century affect the political climate and events in the late 20th century? What freedoms were earned in the late 20th century due to the efforts of men like Sharif in the early 20th century?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the rise of Zionism in the early 20th century and how it affects the characters in the novel. What fears do Sharif and his contemporaries have about the Zionist movement? How does history confirm or negate those fears? How does Zionism affect the distribution of Sharif's descendants, and ultimately, their cultural heritage?

Essay Topic 3

How is history blended with fiction in the novel? Which characters and events are fictional and which are historical? How does Soueif use historical events to motivate the fictional characters?

(see the answer keys)

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