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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. About what does Amer ramble?

2. What does Amer think of Marzug?

3. What does Sarhan insist about Zohra?

4. For what is Amer famous?

5. What does Hosny think of Mansour?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Tolba Marzuq relationship to Mariana, and what does Amer think of him?

2. Describe Sarhan al-Beheiry.

3. What is Hosny's next encounter with Zohra and how does he react?

4. Describe Hosny Allam.

5. What are Hosny's impressions of the other Miramar residents?

6. What commotion in the hallway does Hosny respond to, and what does he do?

7. Describe the encounter between Zohra, Hosny and Sarhan.

8. What does Mariana offer Zohra and what does Amer fear about Zohra?

9. With whom does Hosny hook up after leaving the Umm Kulthum at intermission, and what is the woman's advice to him?

10. How does Amer respond to the news that Zohra is taking reading lessons, and how do others respond?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. Discuss Hosny Allam's character as symbolic of the corruption that underlies Egyptian culture at that time.

2. After researching Egyptian history from 1940 to the present, do you think Zohra Salama will make it as a single female in Egyptian society? Discuss fully using examples from your research.

3. Compare/contrast the life and choices of Zohra Salama to that of Safeya Barakat. How are their backgrounds similar or dissimilar? Why do they each make the specific choices they make? Could Zohra end up like Safeya? Why or why not? Is redemption possible for Safeya in the Egyptian culture of that time? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 2

Zohra Salama interacts with all the characters in "Miramar" and may be said to have a pivotal role in revealing the personalities of some of the main characters. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly trace and analyze the relationship of Zohra to Sarhan al-Beheiry. How do they meet? What are each of their first impressions of the other? Is the relationship between the two friendly? Honest? Healthy? How does the relationship develop and change over the course of the novel? Does either character grow as a result of the relationship? Does either character get hurt by the other?

2. Thoroughly trace and analyze the relationship of Zohra to Hosny Allam. How do they meet? What are each of their first impressions of the other? Is the relationship between the two friendly? Honest? Healthy? How does the relationship develop and change over the course of the novel? Does either character grow as a result of the relationship? Does either character get hurt by the other?

3. Thoroughly trace and analyze the relationship of Zohra to Mansour Bahy. How do they meet? What are each of their first impressions of the other? Is the relationship between the two friendly? Honest? Healthy? How does the relationship develop and change over the course of the novel? Does either character grow as a result of the relationship? Does either character get hurt by the other?

4. Thoroughly trace and analyze the relationship of Zohra to Amer Wagdi. How do they meet? What are each of their first impressions of the other? Is the relationship between the two friendly? Honest? Healthy? How does the relationship develop and change over the course of the novel? Does either character grow as a result of the relationship? Does either character get hurt by the other?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of "Miramar", identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in Miramar. (They may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not.

4. Many writers and critics say there are only a few plots in the world of fiction; it's what an author does with a plot that distinguishes a mediocre book from an outstanding book. Respond to this idea, using examples from Miramar and other books you have read.

(see the answer keys)

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