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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 Zahra go at the start of Chapter 4?

2. Who moves to Casablanca with Zahra?

3. How did Zahra learn about Rahman?

4. Where did Zahra want to store goods in Chapter 4?

5. Who surprises Zahra during one of her meetings in Chapter 4?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did Zahra describe as an oasis and desert and why?

2. What did Zahra's parents do for a living and why was it dangerous?

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

4. What is a "caid"?

5. What was Zahra's marriage proposal like? What happened at the wedding? What was the first year of marriage like?

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

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

8. Who is Safia?

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

10. Why does Faqih dislike the French?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Who is Zahra's faqih (note the spelling of faqih) and what role does he play in her life choices ?

Essay Topic 2

Define the term flashback. How does Abu Zayd use flashbacks in her book? Provide two examples of flashbacks and how they provide the reader with important information about a central character.

Essay Topic 3

What role does religion play in "Year of the Elephant"? Choose two examples and explain religion plays a role in the story "Year of the Elephant".

(see the answer keys)

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