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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. Where did Nora go to college?

2. How does Efrain win the chance to date Marisela?

3. Why does Nora get so upset in Part III after sleeping with Jeremy?

4. What does Efrain see in Part III that makes him reconsider going to the police?

5. What does Nora's mother notice about Jeremy that she does not like in Part IV?

Short Essay Questions

1. What specific piece of information does Efrain have that strengthens the case against Baker?

2. Why is Nora frustrated with Ray in Part IV?

3. What does Nora begin to piece together as a reason Anderson Baker might have wanted to kill her father?

4. What do Jeremy and Nora do when he comes to her house for the first time on his own in Part III?

5. What does Nora tell Jeremy about Max in Part III, and why?

6. What does Fierro do in the support group that really angers Jeremy?

7. How does Maryam feel about the diner?

8. In Part IV, what is one factor in Efrain coming forwards as a witness?

9. What is Baker's excuse for hitting Driss and then leaving?

10. How is Efrain thinking about Driss in Part III?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Lalami establish and maintain suspense throughout this novel? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

What is the difference between Driss's and Maryam's approaches and attitudes towards Islam, and how do these differences affect their marriage? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

The reader learns about Driss's dishonesty and infidelity to Maryam as the plot progresses, but when and how does Lalami reveal Maryam's own dishonesty in the relationship, and how does this affect the reader's perception of her? Write an essay explaining your answers.

(see the answer keys)

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