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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. What crude surgery does Taita perform to save the horses stricken with the gnu illness?

2. What happens to the reward that Pharaoh gives to Taita?

3. Where is Arkoun's castle?

4. What idea of Tanus's is shot down in the military council?

5. How far south had civilized man progressed, prior to this Egyptian journey?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

2. Who is Arkoun? Why is he a powerful man? At the same time, what in Taita's descriptions portray him as a pathetic man?

3. As the great journey south begins, why does Queen Lostris not board her ship? Is this a good example of her leadership? Why?

4. What happens when the Nile floods? How does this event bring together science and religious observation? How is it also an opportunity for vice, particularly greed?

5. How do the Egyptian ships navigate through the cataracts? How is this a testimony to their technological skill, especially because of Taita?

6. Why do you think Smith goes into details about the mummification of Pharaoh's body? Is this fitting to the novel? Especially in relation to Taita's character, since he is involved in the embalming, do the details add to or detract from the story?

7. Both Tanus and Taita are struck with longing for Ethiopians possessions: the blue sword and the horses, respectively. How do these passion signal deep trouble in the future? How do these desires change the men's thinking?

8. How does Taita explain Lostris's second pregnancy? Why does the council believe him? What from Lostris's reputation prepares them to believe Taita's story?

9. 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?

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When Lostris thinks she is pregnant for the fourth time, what is the truth? How does this short scene illustrate the understanding she and Taita have with each other?

Essay Topic 2

Taita usually refers to his country as "this very Egypt". How does this show respect? How does it reveal his sentiments toward his nation? How is this sentiment bound up with his belief in the gods?

Essay Topic 3

Is Taita a realistic character? To what extent is it plausible that he is gifted in so many areas?

(see the answer keys)

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