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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 is the "first" this book is known for?

2. What crisis did Morocco face in the mid 1950s?

3. How does Zahra recognize Rahal ?

4. Who does Zahra visit in Chapter 3 to air her frustration?

5. How did Zahra learn about Rahman?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. Why does the author of the introduction claim that "Year of the Elephant" is "an event in cross-cultural literary history"?

5. Where does Zahra go to live at the end of Chapter 1?

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

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

8. Describe Abou Zayd's childhood and how it affected her writing.

9. How does Zahra decide to make a living and who taught her this skill?

10. What was the education crisis Morocco faced in the 1950's?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Define the term antagonist and identify who you believe is the antagonist in a story of your choice. Supply evidence from the book that supports your argument. Discuss how the antagonist is identified in the presence of the protagonist.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the relationship between Zahra and her husband. What role does each person fill in the other person's life? Explain two ways Zahra's husband changes her life.

Essay Topic 3

How does the theme of abandonment present itself in the story "Divorce". How was the main character affected by abandonment in his childhood and how does he act out in adulthood?

(see the answer keys)

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