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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 does Layla feel has dominated the lives of her family members?

2. What nationality is Cromer?

3. What honor does Zeinab give Anna the night of her wedding?

4. Which character does Amal fear for in "An End?"

5. What gift does Sharif plan to give Anna on their wedding day?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Emily react to Anna's decision to marry Sharif?

2. How does Tareq help Amal and the fellaheen in Chapter 26?

3. How does Anna's life change after Sharif's death?

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

5. Why does 'Omar refuse to continue his relationship with Isabel in Chapter 22?

6. Why does Anna decide to remain in Egypt?

7. Why does Anna consider returning to England in Chapter 17?

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

9. How does Anna's relationship with Layla and Sharif affect her relationship with other Britons living in Egypt?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How do the contents of Isabel's trunk affect the lives of those who read her journals? How do Anna's documents clarify both Isabel and Anna's heritage? What questions or problems do Anna's documents raise for Isabel and Anna?

Essay Topic 2

What ironies are evident in the novel? What irony does Amal's family experience throughout the novel? What ironies are present in the "Entente cordiale" and subsequent political agreements? How is irony used to view the cycle of political and social/personal oppression suffered by the Egyptians?

Essay Topic 3

Compare Anna's marriage to Edward with her marriage to Sharif. Describe the type of relationship each man has with Anna during each marriage, including each couple's communication skills, physical attraction, and emotional support. How much is Anna involved in each man's business affairs?

(see the answer keys)

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