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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. In Chapter 4, how long has it been since Mother has been out of the house since the Taliban took over?

2. In Chapter 5, what color is Hossain's shalwar kameez that Parvana tries on?

3. In Chapter 5, how does Parvana feel after hauling water and not having food or water?

4. In Chapter 4, what does Parvana eat after returning from the prison and sleeping?

5. In Chapter 2, what does Parvana hide from the soliders?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 6, how does Parvana feel and see herself after her hair is cut?

2. In Chapter 3, what order of the Taliban did Father refuse to follow and why?

3. In Chapter 6, what do Mrs. Weera and Mother decide to do so that Parvana can go to the market?

4. In Chapter 1, what changes in Parvana's family's life occured after the Taliban came?

5. In Chapter 1, why is Parvana not to be outside?

6. In Chapter 4, what did Mother do after returning home from the prison?

7. In Chapter 6, what does Parvana wear and how do the clothes fit?

8. In Chapter 3, what does Parvana miss and why?

9. In Chapter 2, what are Mother and Nooria always doing and why?

10. In Chapter 1, why does Father need Parvana to help him walk?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Sometimes the author leaves readers wondering what will happen next at the end of a chapter. What type of literary device is used when an author leaves readers wonder what will happen at the end of a chapter? How is a cliffhanger intended to build suspense? Does the use of cliffhangers in The Breadwinner increase suspense?

Essay Topic 2

Mother decides to sell Parvana’s red shalwar kameez. What does the outfit symbolize to Parvana at the time Mother decides to sell it? How does that symbolism change? What does the outfit symbolize by the time that Parvana sells it by bargaining with a buyer?

Essay Topic 3

In the novel, some characters are more thoroughly described than others. Who are some characters that are merely named in passing or have a minor role in the novel? What is the importance of these flat characters to the story line? In what way do these characters make the main characters more colorful or interesting? When there is conflict, what type of role do these flat characters play?

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