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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 did Di'aa say about Firdaus' profession?

2. What river did Firdaus watch from her window every day?

3. What did Firdaus learn about men?

4. What did Fawzy want with Firdaus?

5. How did Firdaus attack Marzouk?

Short Essay Questions

1. How was Firdaus' relationship with Ibrahim similar to her relationship with Miss Iqbal?

2. What did Firdaus believe being a prostitute proved to people?

3. What were Firdaus' thoughts on men after Ibrahim's engagement?

4. What new job did Firdaus take after speaking to Di'aa? What did she think of the job?

5. Who is Di'aa, and how did he change Firdaus?

6. What happened when Firdaus stopped speaking? How did El Saadawi react?

7. What did the guards mean in Chapter 3 when they said "Your time has come"?

8. How did the Arab man learn that Firdaus was a killer?

9. Why did El Saadawi feel ashamed after hearing Firdaus' story?

10. What was Sharifa Salah el Dine's job and how did it involve Firdaus?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When considering El Saadawi's life, where do you believe she found the inspiration for this book? What does this book cause you to think about the author's life? What do you believe El Saadawi set out to achieve with this book? Did she accomplish it?

Essay Topic 2

Explain the quote "I value my honor and reputation more than the other girls, but my price is much higher than theirs." When did she say this and in what context?

Essay Topic 3

What role does El Saadawi play in this book other then author? How does she relate to Firdaus? Do they learn from each other or is El Saadawi the only one that benefits from the relationship?

(see the answer keys)

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