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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Pharaoh's palace is in the southernmost part of Egypt. What reason do some people give for this?
(a) To be closer to the mouth of the Nile, a holy place.
(b) To be as far as possible from the strife in the north.
(c) To be able to extend his borders south.
(d) To be farther away from Lord Intef.

2. In order to thwart Pharaoh, what is Tanus's plan?
(a) To wean power gradually away from Pharaoh, who is weak.
(b) To overthrow Pharaoh and become Pharaoh in his place.
(c) To overthrow Lord Intef and raise a powerful army.
(d) To elope with Lostris south to the land of Cush.

3. After Lostris disappears from the festivities on the shore, where does Taita find her?
(a) In Hapi's temple with Tanus.
(b) In her own tent with Tanus.
(c) In Tanus's tent with him.
(d) In the ship's stronghold.

4. What is the name of Taita's friend who gives him information and supplies prior to the battle with the Shrikes?
(a) Kernit.
(b) Safaga.
(c) Tiamat.
(d) Remrem.

5. How does Lostris treat the common people in the city?
(a) She takes advantage of them as her subjects.
(b) She does not even look at them when she rides through the streets.
(c) She treats them with respect but from a distance.
(d) She brings them food and visits with them.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why did Tanus's father die an unhappy death?

2. Why does Taita keep separate from the crowds?

3. How does Taita explain his absence to Pharaoh?

4. Out of the thirteen barons, how many are killed in this first battle with Tanus?

5. Why is Taita called the Elder Brother in the slave quarters?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Taita foreshadow the coming marriage for Lostris? How does this affect the element of surprise within the novel?

2. What are Taita's emotions during and after the battle with the Shrikes? How do these emotions explain several facets of his personality? What does this say for Smith's ability to create a complex character?

3. What condition is Tanus in when Taita finally finds him? How is this condition similar to Lostris's desire for death on her wedding night? How is Taita able to save Tanus in much the same way he saved Lostris?

4. How does Taita describe the hippo hunt? How does he see the animal in relation to divinity? What is the effect of the hippo hunt on Taita?

5. What account does Taita give of the girl he loved when he was sixteen? How does his telling of it, half his lifetime later, show the changes he has gone through? Is he more cynical or more understanding of what happened?

6. What power does Pharaoh's seal have? Why must a man acknowledge it, as Tanus does when Neter comes to arrest him? Is this seal a sign of power or of weakness?

7. What does Taita learn from his friend Tiamat about the Shrikes? How does this explain the destitution of Egypt and the weakness of Pharaoh?

8. Throughout this first section, what evidence does Taita give that he is a favored slave? What was the cost of this favor?

9. How does Lostris interact with Pharaoh during their first three months of marriage? Though Smith does not say this is so many words, how does Pharaoh reveal his true character during this time?

10. Explain Tanus's bow Lanata. How does this story about the weapon reveal Tanus's character?

(see the answer keys)

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