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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 publication does Anna become involved with after her wedding?

2. What types of dangerous letters has 'Omar received?

3. Who is Zeinab?

4. What does Layla feel has dominated the lives of her family members?

5. Which characters prepare Anna on her "Henna Day"?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does Sharif's motivation and behavior change by Chapter 29?

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

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

5. How does Anna's life change after Sharif's death?

6. How does Anna's relationship with Layla and Sharif affect her relationship with other Britons living in Egypt?

7. Describe Isabel's experience in the shrine.

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

9. What does Zeinab think of Anna?

10. Why does Amal fear for 'Omar?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Soueif blend the two time lines to establish continuity in the novel? Describe how Anna's journal entries parallel or compliment Amal's experiences. How is the progression of Anna's life in Egypt used to motivate Amal? How does the progression of events in Anna's journal affect the development of Amal's character?

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 Anna cope with the loss of each husband? Describe Anna's emotional state after Edward's death. How does she cope with his loss? Describe Anna's emotional state after Sharif's death. How does she cope with his loss? Based on her reaction to each husband's death, which man does she appear to love the most, and why?

(see the answer keys)

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