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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 does the ferry take the refugees from Lesbos?

2. What does Mina suspect is wrong with Sumaiya as soon as she sees her in Part I?

3. Where did Mina and Mazen first meet after her estrangement from the family?

4. Where was Mina born?

5. Who is Mina's brother that she will be seeing soon in Part I?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is one of Emma's most defining characteristics, according to Mina?

2. Who is Mina meeting from her family in Lesbos and why is this significant?

3. What does Mina remember her mother spending a lot of extra money on when she was a child?

4. Whose betrayal hurt Mina more than that of her parents?

5. Who did Mina worship as a young child and try to model herself after?

6. In "I Missed You By This Much," what does Mina say about the writer?

7. In "You Made Me Do It," who encourages Mina to write about her experiences and why?

8. Why does Francine not like Emma?

9. Why do Mina and Asma have a special affinity?

10. In "Here Comes the Boat," why does Mina think the old woman is so mean to her adult son?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What does Mina's affection for Pete Jones, and for his personal life story, decisions, and journey, tell the reader about the human search for meaning and purpose in an unforgiving and brutal landscape? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

Alameddine explores a range of strong emotions at a fever pitch throughout the novel - fear, anger, frustration, sadness, and even joy. Write an essay analyzing Alameddine's tone at different points throughout the novel, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

What does Alameddine's book title refer to, and why do you think he chose this title for this novel? Write an essay explaining your answers.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 578 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample