View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Where does Sharif instruct Anna to take Nur if he dies?

2. What is Ahmad's gifting that Anna writes about in Chapter 24?

3. Which character offers to help Amal with her community work?

4. Which character do Anna and Sharif plan to visit while in Europe?

5. What physical ailment sometimes prevents Sheikh 'Isa from working?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Sharif offended by the carriage driver in Chapter 23?

2. Why does 'Omar refuse to continue his relationship with Isabel in Chapter 22?

3. According to Layla, what has been the net result of the political strife in Egypt?

4. Why does Anna's wedding take three days to finalize?

5. Why did Ibrahim Nassif al-Wardani assassinate Prime Minister Ghali?

6. How does the Zionist movement affect the Egyptian characters in the book?

7. What atrocity begins with the death of a few pigeons?

8. Why does Anna decide to remain in Egypt?

9. Why does Amal long to be with Anna after the bombing at the Mugama' Building?

10. How does Amal honor her ancestors once her research is complete?

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

Describe the effect Egypt has on Isabel. How does Egyptian culture and politics affect her character? How does her relationship with Amal affect her attitude towards her Egyptian heritage?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the effect colonialism had on Egypt in the early 20th century. Which characters in the novel are proponents of colonialism, and why? Which characters are opponents of colonialism, and why? How do Sharif and Anna attempt to end the British occupation and what is the result of their efforts?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,220 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample