Half a Day by Naguib Mahfouz
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Questions and Answers

What was the narrator's feeling about going to school for the first time?

  • Fear (correct)
  • Anticipation
  • Indifference
  • Excitement
  • What was the father's response when the narrator asked 'Why school?'

  • School is a punishment
  • School is a building where you can play all day
  • School is a place to make new friends
  • School is a factory that makes useful men out of boys (correct)
  • What was the narrator's mother doing as they left for school?

  • Standing at the window watching (correct)
  • Walking alongside them
  • Cooking breakfast
  • Waving goodbye
  • What could be seen in the fields along the street they walked on?

    <p>Crops, prickly pears, henna trees, and date palms</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the narrator's impression of the school building?

    <p>It was a huge, high-walled fortress</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did the narrator's father tell him to do before leaving him?

    <p>Be a man</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the narrator's first impression of the children in the new place?

    <p>They were all strangers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did the lady say about the new place?

    <p>This is your new home</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did the narrator and the other children do in the music room?

    <p>Chanted songs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did the narrator realize about life in the new place?

    <p>It had its ups and downs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    The First Day of School

    • The narrator, a young boy, is accompanying his father to school for the first time, dressed in new clothes, including black shoes, a green school uniform, and a red tarboosh.
    • The boy is nervous and tries to appeal to his mother for help as they walk to school.
    • The father reassures the boy that school is not a punishment, but a place where he can learn and become a useful man like his father and brothers.

    The School Environment

    • The school is described as a huge, high-walled fortress with a vast courtyard filled with boys and girls.
    • The boy feels like a stranger when he arrives, but is soon approached by another boy who asks who brought him to school.

    The School's Welcome

    • A lady, accompanied by a group of men, welcomes the students and begins to sort them into ranks.
    • She reassures them that school is a place where they will find mothers and fathers, enjoy learning, and benefit from knowledge and religion.

    The School's Activities

    • The students engage in various activities, including playing games, learning music, and introducing themselves to language.
    • They also learn about the world, including the continents and countries, and are introduced to the concept of numbers.
    • The story of the Creator of the universe is read to them, and they hear about His present world and the Hereafter.

    The Reality of School Life

    • Despite the initial excitement and joy, the boy soon realizes that school life is not always easy and pleasant.
    • He experiences dust-laden winds, unexpected accidents, and rivalries that can lead to pain and hatred.
    • However, the lady's smile and guidance provide a sense of reassurance and comfort.

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    Description

    This quiz is based on the novel 'Half a Day' by renowned Egyptian author Naguib Mahfouz. It explores the narrator's first day of school and the emotions that come with it. Test your understanding of the story and its themes.

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