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. Why does James Barrington turn down a diplomatic posting to Syria?

2. Which political organization was 'Omar once connected with?

3. What subject does Sharif agree to add to the school curriculum in Chapter 29?

4. How many days must Anna sleep apart from her husband in Chapter 24?

5. What must Sharif wait for before he can set up a school?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Amal fear for 'Omar?

2. What fear does Sharif have for Nur's future?

3. Why does Anna consider returning to England in Chapter 17?

4. How does Tareq help Amal and the fellaheen in Chapter 26?

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

6. What is the subject of "'Al-Mar'ah al-Jadidah"?

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

8. How does Cromer react to Anna's decision to marry Sharif?

9. What does Zeinab think of Anna?

10. How does Emily react to Anna's decision to marry Sharif?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare Anna's kidnapping to modern day terrorism activities. What purpose do the kidnappers feel Anna's capture might serve? How does this compare to the purposes of the terrorist bombers in modern day Luxor? What is Sharif's view of kidnapping and terrorism? Are his prophecies valid for the Arabic world in the late 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 does prejudice affect the characters in the novel? How does Anna's relationship with Layla and Sharif affect her relationship with other Europeans? How does having an English wife expose Sharif to prejudice? Does prejudice play a role in the lives of the characters living in 1997? If so, how? If not, why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,147 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample