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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. Why did Mernissi smuggle kohl from her mother's vanity table for Samir?

2. Who was Mina?

3. Whose words are the last to be spoken in the book?

4. Who said that Mernissi's mother was a bad influence on Chama?

5. How high was the forbidden terrace?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did the big bird design Aunt Habiba was stitching symbolize to her?

2. What was Mernissi's reaction when she went up to the forbidden terrace?

3. Describe Mina's physical appearance.

4. What did the grownups think that children should know about violence?

5. Why did the women of the harem believe that they had to look as ugly as possible during their beauty rituals?

6. How did Lalla Mani prepare her face mask made of dates?

7. What were love glances and how did Chama use them successfully?

8. What did Mernissi like about the way Mina danced?

9. Why did Chama get discouraged about her audience when she tried to put on plays?

10. Why did Mina feel optimistic about the future for women?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the significance of beauty rituals in harem life. What did Aunt Habiba mean when she said "Skin is political"? In what way did the women's beauty rituals scare the men?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss how Mernissi's life changed once institutions for educating girls were approved. What did she like about the nationalist school she transferred to? How did going to this school improve her life?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Chama's plays and their importance in the harem. How did they provide entertainment and knowledge? In what ways did the women discover hidden talents because of the plays?

(see the answer keys)

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