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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does the reader learn in Chapter 1 about Zahra's family?
(a) They are politicians.
(b) They live in jail.
(c) Her close family members are dead.
(d) They are wealthy.

2. How did Faqih escape his pursuers?
(a) He hid in a trash can.
(b) He ran to Paris.
(c) He dressed in women's clothes.
(d) He dressed as a homeless man.

3. What animal dropped clay pellets on the army?
(a) Elephants.
(b) Birds.
(c) Lions.
(d) Monkeys.

4. How does Zahra recognize Rahal ?
(a) He has six toes.
(b) He has long hair.
(c) He has six fingers.
(d) He is blonde.

5. What does Zahra compare the Casablanca Massacre to?
(a) A solid marraige.
(b) Shooting fish in a barrel.
(c) A surprise party.
(d) Losing a loved one.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who did Faqih leave behind in Vietnam?

2. How many languages does Abou Zayd know?

3. Who is Walter in Chapter 4?

4. What was Hajj Ali given after the independence?

5. How does Zahra travel to the prison in Chapter 4?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Zahra's mood at the start of Chapter 4. Why does she feel this way?

2. How does Zahra's husband sneak Faqih out of town?

3. What was Zahra's experience in Chapter 2 like while living in Casablanca?

4. Why does Zahra go to the post office in Chapter 3?

5. Who is Rahma and why does Zahra want to get to know her?

6. Who is the local "faqih" and how does he help Zahra in Chapter 1?

7. Why might Abou Zayd have written "Year of the Elephant" in Arabic?

8. Why is the point of view of "Year of the Elephant" important?

9. Who raised Zahra and why could she not go back to their home?

10. What imagery does the author use in Chapter 1?

(see the answer keys)

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