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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 prediction does the article that Amal reads to Isabel give about the year 2000?

2. Which royal event does Anna attend in Chapter 17?

3. What incident sparks a bloody shootout between British troops and the fellaheen?

4. Which character does Anna meet the day after her wedding?

5. What does Amal want to teach if she can re-open her school?

Short Essay Questions

1. What complications might arise with Anna and Sharif's marriage?

2. Why is Sharif offended by the carriage driver in Chapter 23?

3. How does Cromer react to Anna's decision to marry Sharif?

4. Why does Anna feel her baby is in the balance against the ills of the world?

5. Why does Amal long to be with Anna after the bombing at the Mugama' Building?

6. Why did Ibrahim Nassif al-Wardani assassinate Prime Minister Ghali?

7. Why does Amal fear for 'Omar?

8. Describe Isabel's experience in the shrine.

9. How does Anna's story affect Amal's future?

10. How does the Zionist movement affect the Egyptian characters in the book?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Anna cope with the loss of each husband? Describe Anna's emotional state after Edward's death. How does she cope with his loss? Describe Anna's emotional state after Sharif's death. How does she cope with his loss? Based on her reaction to each husband's death, which man does she appear to love the most, and why?

Essay Topic 2

Describe how the romantic triangle between Jasmine, 'Omar, and Isabel affects each character's development. What alerts 'Omar to the possibility of incest? What emotional and social repercussions may arise from his affair with both women? By the end of the novel, how is Little Sharif's heritage established?

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast Anna and Amal. What aspects of Anna are evident in Amal before she reads the journals? How does Amal's research into Anna's life affect her character?

(see the answer keys)

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