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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 what area of Kabul is Rasheed's home located in Chapter 9?

2. What is the name of the park that Rasheed takes Mariam to visit on their tour of Kabul in Chapter 11?

3. Tariq's family is of what ethnic group in Afghanistan?

4. During what years was Mohammad Najibullah President of Afghanistan?

5. What kind of hat does Tariq wear as they watch the last Soviet convoys leave the city in Chapter 22?

Short Essay Questions

1. What political even does Laila's family witness in Chapter 22? What do they make of this affair?

2. What are Laila's perceptions of the funeral in Chapter 19? How does Laila grieve?

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

4. When does Chapter 23 take place? What is the political atmosphere like in Afghanistan at this time?

5. What leads to the change in Fariba's behavior in Chapter 23? How does her behavior change?

6. What news does Tariq relate to Laila in Chapter 25? How does Laila respond?

7. How are Jalil's visits to Mariam described in Chapter 4? What do they talk about?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze and discuss the characters of Laila and Hakim in the novel. How does Laila’s relationship with her father differ from Mariam’s? How do Laila’s overall circumstances differ? What is Hakim’s profession? How would you describe Hakim’s relationship with his wife?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and discuss the history, implementation, and tenets of Shari'a Law in Afghanistan. When in Afghanistan’s history was the wearing of burqas first enforced? What limitations do women face regarding travel under Shari’a Law? How does this enforcement play a role in the actions of Mariam and Laila in the story?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and analyze the narrative style of the novel. Is the narrative related from a first, second, or third-person narrator? Is the narrator involved in the action of the story? How would the story differ if it were told from a different narrator?

(see the answer keys)

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