Lit 25: Afro-Asian Literature

[ernesto thaddeus m. solmerano]

Lit 25: Afro-Asian Literature
:oMidterm Examination
:-*Prof. ETM Solmerano

SHORT STORY ANALYSIS TEST

Direction: Read the short story “Half A Day” by Naguib Mahfouz carefully then answer the questions that follow.

1. The point of view used in “Half A Day” is:
a. first person singular
b. first person plural
c. Both a and b
d. third person omniscient
2. With respect to point of view, the story is presented through the sense impressions, perception and consciousness of:
a. the author
b. the narrator
c. Both a and b
d. the young lad
3. The local color of the story is set in:
a. South Africa
b. Egypt
c. Israel
d. Saudi Arabia
4. The boy is taken to school by his:
a. grandfather
b. older brother
c. father
d. mother
5. What is the boy's initial attitude toward school?
a. reluctance
b. eagerness
c. relief
d. disdain
6. The image of the boy's mother appears only once, at the beginning of the story. What is the significance why the narrator must be separated from his mother?
a. As a punishment or penance
b. As part of his coming-of-age process
c. As an event that could have been avoided
d. All of these aforementioned
7. The element of fiction/literary device used in the first sentence of paragraph 3 is:
a. symbol
b. irony
c. theme
d. foreshadowing
8. At the gates of the schoolyard, the boy is still reluctant to enter, but his father instructs him to "be a man,'' telling him: "Today you truly begin life.’’ This is an obvious example of what element of fiction?
a. symbol
b. point of view
c. tone
d. style
9. The conversation between the narrator and the first child that he encounters in the school is an example of what element of fiction/literary device:
a. foreshadowing
b. symbol
c. dialogue
d. All of these aforementioned
10. The gate becomes a ______________ in the story.
a. motif
b. symbol
c. props
d. All of these aforementioned
11. What word does the author use to describe how the students adjust to school?
a. joyfully
b. submission
c. acceptance
d. defiance
12. The narrator’s father is a:
a. flat character
b. type character
c. round character
d. dynamic character
13. The central character of the story is a:
a. flat character
b. type character
c. round character
d. dynamic character
14. The external conflict in the story is that between:
a. the narrator vs. his mother
b. the narrator vs. his father
c. the narrator vs. the school teacher
d. All of these aforementioned
16. At stake in this conflict is:
a. his life
b. their relationship
c. his image or reputation
d. his happiness
17. Is there any flashback used in this story?
a. yes
b. no
c. perhaps
d. none of the above
18. The style used in the story is:
a. Allegorical
b. Romantic
c. Realistic
d. Surrealistic
19. What element of fiction is used in the story's final sentence?
a. symbol
b. irony
c. theme
d. pace
20. The title of the story “Half a Day” is:
a. hyperbolic
b. symbolic
c. ironic
d. surrealistic
21. The tone of this story may be described as:
a. tragic
b. ironic
c. serious
d. allegoric
22. Which is NOT a central theme expressed in this story:
a. The absurdity of the human condition
b. The coming-of-age of the narrator
c. The human experience of time, memory and old age
d. The cycle of life from generation to generation
23. The real name of the central character is:
a. Naguib Mahfouz
b. Abu Khoda
c. Grandpa
d. none of the above (as it was never mentioned)
24. At the end of the story, the person who helps the narrator across the street is his:
a. father
b. grandson
c. son
d. none of these aforementioned
25. This story can be classified as:
a. prose fiction
b. poetic prose
c. creative non-fiction
d. dramatic