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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. What does the word "hamam" translate to in English?

2. What is Laila's nickname?

3. Where does Hakim rent a hall for his sons' fatiha in Chapter 19?

4. Where does Nana say that Jalil was horseback riding with friends when she gave birth to Mariam?

5. When does Chapter 23 begin?

Short Essay Questions

1. How has Mariam adjusted to married life by the beginning of Chapter 11?

2. What political events are described by the narrator in Chapter 15? How do these events affect the citizens of Afghanistan?

3. What transition occurs with the beginning of Chapter 16? How are Laila and Tariq described in this chapter?

4. How does Nana respond when Mullah Faizullah suggests Mariam be educated in Chapter 3? Why?

5. When does Chapter 24 take place? What are the circumstances around Laila's family at this time?

6. How would you describe Mariam's introduction to married life in Chapter 9?

7. When does Chapter 21 take place? What is the political atmosphere like in Afghanistan at this time?

8. How has Mariam's relationship with Rasheed evolved in Chapter 14? What has led to these changes?

9. What are the reasons behind Mariam's marriage arrangement in Chapter 7? How is this arrangement perceived by the characters in the story?

10. What loss does Mariam suffer in Chapter 13? How does this loss affect her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze and discuss the character of Rasheed in the narrative. How does Rasheed treat Mariam after their wedding? How does she adjust to her new circumstances? What “rules” and expectations does Rasheed set in place for his wife? How does Rasheed’s character evolve in the course of the story?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the political atmosphere of Kabul following Najibullah’s surrender in 1992. How many different factions in Afghanistan began warring against one another at this time? What were the objectives of each group? How were the everyday lives of Afghani citizens affected by these changes?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the setting at the Buddha’s of Bamiyan and discuss the connection between Laila and her father here. Why does Hakim say that he brought Laila and Tariq to this setting? What does Laila’s father relate to her about Fariba’s behavior and about his own feelings of loss? What dreams does Hakim share with his daughter?

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