View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How long has it been since Mansour has seen Fawzi before now?

2. Who does Amer say opens the way through eloquence for the current generation of engineers and economists?

3. About what do Sarhan and his friend Rafat Amin talk?

4. For what does Zohra seem to long?

5. Who is Zohra with when Sarhand sees her after visiting with his friend Rafat?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Mansour's further impression of Zohra and how does he feel towards her?

2. How does Ali convince Sarhan to join him in the heist?

3. How does Mahmoud inadvertently give Sarhan an excuse to move out of living with Safeya, and what does he say about marriage?

4. What does Sarhan do the first time Zohra delivers tea to his room and how do the two interact over the next several days?

5. Why does Doreya say Mansour is four years too late and what is his response?

6. What does Mansour impulsively do when he meets Doreya at the zoo?

7. Describe Sarhan's encounter with Tolba on the street.

8. What are Mansour's first impressions of some of the boarders at the Miramar?

9. What are Ali and Sarhan's plans to gain money?

10. What does Mansour do when he learns of Fawzi's arrest?

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

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.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. Discuss the theme of choice in "Miramar". Who makes wise choices? Who makes unwise choices? Do you think Sarhan believes more in fate or free will? Why?

2. Debate the following statement in an argument/persuasion essay: Making several poor choices one after the other makes it more likely one will continue to make poor choices.

3. Rewrite the ending with Sarhan making what you think would be a wiser choice and then discuss why you believe it would be a better choice.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,086 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample