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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. How does Radwan Hussainy advise Mrs. Kirsha to deal with her husband's weakness?

2. How does Zaita know the intimate details of the bakers' lives?

3. How does the alley learn of Salim Alwan's lunch and its powers?

4. How does Zaita treat his clients?

5. Why does Umm Hamida consult Radwan Hussainy about Salim Alwan's offer?

Short Essay Questions

1. How had Sheikh Darwish become a homeless man of God?

2. Why does the news about Dr. Booshy and Zaita being caught robbing graves affect Mrs. Afify?

3. What does Jaada do that causes Husniya to beat him continually?

4. Why does Abbas believe that Hamida feels the same attraction for him that he feels for her?

5. What does Zaita promise he will do to help the beggar who is too big and strong to gain people's sympathy?

6. As the story ends, what are the residents of the alley preparing to celebrate?

7. Why has Salim Alwan decided to take a second wife?

8. Waiting for the boy with whom he has become acquainted, Kirsha suffers the "bitterness of victory." What is the bitterness of victory?

9. Why does Hussain Kirsha say that Abbas should be an Italian rather than a Briton?

10. Why do Abbas' words of love have an effect on Hamida although she does not care for him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Consider the references to God in the story in terms of personal responsibility. Which characters seem to you to actually believe in God and try to conform their behavior to the teachings of the Qur'an? Are those that refer to God most the true believers? Discuss at least two characters in terms of their relation to deity, using examples from the text.

Essay Topic 2

In Midaq Alley, many behaviors, such as smoking hashish, assaulting a spouse, bribing people to vote for a candidate, and maiming human beings, are tolerated that would be illegal under other circumstances. What is it about the alley that keeps reprehensible conduct from being punished? Does it seem to you that such laxity is part of the general culture or specific to the low level of economic and educational well-being that is seen in Midaq Alley? Use evidence from the text to support your position.

Essay Topic 3

Take Zaita's point of view and write an essay defending his method of earning a living.

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This section contains 770 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample