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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. Who is the Palestinian who asks Mina to help him in Part I?

2. What does one woman decorate her pantry with who the writer speaks with?

3. What does Francine say about women like Mina's mother in Part II?

4. What does Francine once do with people on the street who ask for money in Chicago?

5. Where does Rania Kassem go after leaving the camp?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Francine not like Emma?

2. In "You, the Nervous Wreck," what does Mina say is the influence of the writer's work on her decisions?

3. What was the writer's first experience in drag?

4. Why is Mina's being a woman significant in her work as a doctor with the refugees?

5. Whose betrayal hurt Mina more than that of her parents?

6. What does "GoFundMeJeff" do that becomes a symbol for being a scoundrel?

7. Who is Mina meeting from her family in Lesbos and why is this significant?

8. Why is Mina estranged from her parents and siblings except for Mazen?

9. In "Here Comes the Boat," what is Mina surprised to hear about some of the young volunteers?

10. Who was the only person Mina ever talked about her family with and why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Alameddine explores a range of strong emotions at a fever pitch throughout the novel - fear, anger, frustration, sadness, and even joy. Write an essay analyzing Alameddine's tone at different points throughout the novel, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

Why does Emma think Mina will be particularly helpful during the refugee crisis on Lesbos in the beginning of the novel? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

How and why does Alameddine use humor most effectively in the novel? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

(see the answer keys)

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