A Hope More Powerful Than the Sea

Reading Check and Short Answer Questions on key plot points are designed for guided reading assignments, in-class review, formative assessment, quizzes, and more.

Chapters 1-3

Reading Check

1. What tragic event has happened prior to the opening of the book?

2. How does Doaa find the will to survive?

3. Why is Doaa afraid of water?

4. What agricultural factor drives the conflict in Syria in 2007?

5. Why does Shokri’s family encourage Doaa’s father to remarry?

6. Where does Doaa’s family traditionally go on Mother’s Day?

7. After escaping the protestors on Mother’s Day, where does Doaa go to see everything that is happening in the conflict?

8. Why does the Syrian government lay siege on Daraa?

9. What is the Free Syrian Army?

10. What does Shokri decide to do with his family at the conclusion of Chapter 3?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Why do people have hope for the succession of Bashar al-Assad to Syrian leadership?

2. Why was Bashar’s father considered oppressive by Doaa?

3. What events inspired Syrians to attempt to overthrow their government?

4. What actions do the police take against protesters?

5. Why does Shokri forbid his daughter from attending further protests?

Paired Resource

“The Drought That Preceded the War in Syria”

• This 12-minute video describes the drought that occurred prior to the Syrian Civil War. (Content Warning: This video may not be appropriate for all groups; includes graphic depictions of violence.)
• What information was withheld from the Syrian civilians according to the video? What predictions were made by the UN about Syrian society? What impact did the drought have on agriculture in Syria? How is this video related to the biography’s theme of The Interconnected World?

“Bashar al-Assad”

• This encyclopedia entry describes the early life of Bashar al-Assad, his rise to power in Syria, and his involvement in the Syrian Civil War.
• Who ran against Bashar al-Assad for the presidency? Why was there global optimism resulting from Bashar al-Assad’s presidency? What is the “Damascus Spring?” How is this article related to the theme of The Interconnected World?

Great Friday

• This article describes Great Friday and the violent attacks committed against Syrian protestors. (Content Warning: This video may not be appropriate for all groups; includes graphic depictions of violence and torture.)
• What is Great Friday? What sparked Great Friday according to some of the protestors? What was the Syrian government’s reaction to Great Friday? How is Great Friday connected to the biography’s theme of Finding a Sense of Purpose?

Chapters 4-7

Reading Check

1. How does Doaa feel about leaving the conflict in Syria?

2. What has the influx of refugees made it difficult for Shokri to find?

3. What type of building does the family move into?

4. Where does Doaa find work in Egypt?

5. What does Hanaa hide from Doaa?

6. What political changes cause refugees to begin to feel less welcome in Egypt?

7. Why do Doaa and Bassem take a smugglers boat to Europe?

8. Who is fighting along with the Free Syrian Army against the government in Syria?

9. About how many refugees had died trying to cross the ocean to Europe prior to Doaa’s first attempt at crossing?

10. What is the consequence for Doaa and Bassem after their failed attempt to cross the border?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. What is it like for Doaa and her family to live in Egypt?

2. How does Doaa’s attitude toward Bassem’s proposal change?

3. What events create a desire in Bassem to leave Egypt?

Paired Resource

Syrian Refugees After the Fall of Morsi

• This article describes the challenges facing Syrian refugees as the Muslim Brotherhood rose to power in Egypt.
• What discriminatory acts were committed against the Syrian refugees in Egypt following the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood? Why did many dislike the Syrians after Morsi’s removal? How are the kindnesses Doaa experiences from some of the Egyptians connected to the biography’s theme of The Power of Humanity?

The Removal of Morsi in Favor of Sisi

• This 3-minute video describes the removal of Morsi from power and the installment of an interim government in favor of Sisi.
• Why did protestors gather to protest Morsi’s resignation? Were the protests peaceful? What were Morsi’s policies on refugees and how do these policies relate to the book’s theme The Power of Humanity?

Global Involvement in the Syrian Conflict

• This article describes the global impact of the Syrian Civil War.
• Why did the Syrian regime face global condemnation? What countries had some involvement in the Syrian Civil War? How is this article related to the book’s themes of The Interconnected World and The Power of Humanity?

Chapters 8-Epilogue

Reading Check

1. Where are the people on the refugee boat from?

2. What does the crew hand to the passengers to eat?

3. How is the refugee boat damaged?

4. Why does the sea turn red after the refugee boat capsizes?

5. What does Bassem find to help Doaa survive the shipwreck?

6. What does Bassem ask Doaa for before he dies?

7. Who is Doaa first asked to care for while stranded in the ocean?

8. What prevents Doaa from joining Bassem in death?

9. What is the name of the second baby Doaa has been given?

10. What message does Doaa receive that lifts her spirits after being rescued from the shipwreck?

11. Who threatens Doaa’s family in Egypt after she tells the authorities about her journey?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. What hardships do the refugees face once on the boat?

2. What difficulties do the survivors of the refugee boat face once they are left adrift at sea?

3. What is Doaa determined to do now that she lives in Sweden?

Recommended Next Reads

A Land of Permanent Goodbyes by Atia Abawi

• This novel is about a teenage boy who escapes war-torn Syria.
• Shared topics include refugees, the Syrian Civil War, and perseverance.
• Shared themes include Finding a Sense of Purpose and The Interconnected World.
• A Land of Permanent Goodbyes on SuperSummary

The Unwanted: Stories of the Syrian Refugees by Don Brown

• This graphic novel describes war-torn Syria, the cultural background of Syrians, and the xenophobia facing many of the refugees who escaped.
• Shared topics include refugees, xenophobia, and the Syrian Civil War.
• Shared themes include The Power of Humanity and The Interconnected World.
• The Unwanted on SuperSummary