View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does Taita map out the Nile as the ships travel on it?
(a) By measuring their placement according to the stars.
(b) By tracking the varying river depths.
(c) By counting how many times a chariot wheel turns along the bank, paralleling the ship.
(d) By improving the maps made by previous travelers.

2. Why does Lostris delay the burial of her husband past the seventy days of embalming?
(a) She does not feel that there is enough treasure to accompany him.
(b) She is afraid the Hyksos will plunder the tomb.
(c) The tomb is not yet finished because Pharaoh died earlier than expected.
(d) Memnon is not yet old enough to attend the burial ceremony.

3. What proves that Lord Intef owned the chests of treasure hidden in his palace?
(a) His ring seal on the locks.
(b) None of the answers is correct.
(c) The hidden passageway to his rooms.
(d) The fact that they were hidden in his palace.

4. How does Taita remove the arrow from Pharaoh's chest?
(a) By pushing it through his body.
(b) By pulling it out quickly.
(c) With greased spoons.
(d) By gently working it backward.

5. How does Taita escape from Arkoun?
(a) He pretends to be the king's ambassador but does not return.
(b) He is swept away in the river when they are returning to the castle.
(c) He bribes four guards to smuggle him out of the castle.
(d) He sneaks through the sewer passages of the castle.

Short Answer Questions

1. When some passengers are reluctant to travel south into Africa, where do they disembark?

2. Where is Arkoun's castle?

3. How does Lostris ensure that Tanus is a part of her son's life?

4. How does Pharaoh react to the accusations of Lord Intef's guilt?

5. While Lostris is pregnant, what is the one thing she asks for that she does not get?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Queen Lostris demand an elaborate tomb for her husband? What does this say about her loyalty to Pharaoh and does it contradict her order that Egyptians would not make their home in the land of Cush?

2. What does Taita call the worst day in Egypt's history? Why does he say this? How is he one of the central characters in the actions of this day, though it may not seem like it?

3. When Tanus returns to Thebes to reveal Akh-Seth and exonerate himself from the death penalty, what sounds are there? How do the sounds, especially voices, help to explain the scene?

4. What is the reaction of both Tanus and Pharaoh to the news of Lostris's pregnancy? What do their reactions say about their personal priorities?

5. Why does Nembet disregard Tanus's warning about the Hyksos army? What does this say about gaining a military reputation in ancient Egypt? What ultimate price does Nembet pay?

6. Why do the common people love Lostris? What does she do to encourage their love? How does she prepare the way for their acceptance of Memnon as rule?

7. How does Lostris deal with Lord Aqer's disgruntlement? Including previous instances of dissatisfied people, what does this say about her leadership? Is she well suited to lead the Egyptian people?

8. How does Lord Intef die? Considering his life, is this a suitable death? Why?

9. Why will so few people ride astride a horse? (Throughout the novel, only Hui, Taita, and Memnon dare this.) What reaction do they get when people see them astride the horses? Why do you think they get this reaction?

10. Why do Lostris and Tanus disagree over the fate of the Hyksos horses? How does this argument illustrate their respective places in society?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 2,273 words (approx. 8 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample