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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 is the punishment for attempting to convert a Muslim to a different faith, according to the Taliban's flyers in Chapter 37?

2. Who is the orphanage director that takes in Aziza in Chapter 42?

3. Who hires Tariq to work as a handyman at his motel after Tariq gets out of prison?

4. What is the punishment for adultery, according to the Taliban's flyers in Chapter 37?

5. Where does the orphanage director tell Mariam he is from in Chapter 42?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is symbolic about the burial that takes place in Chapter 40?

2. How is Laila's and Tariq's journey described in Chapter 50? Where do they visit on their way to Kabul?

3. In Chapter 49, Laila and Tariq have their first argument as a married couple. What do they argue about?

4. How would you describe Laila's greatest struggle in Chapter 42? How does Laila's suffering influence your opinion of her character?

5. How have the political changes in Afghanistan influenced Rasheed's behavior in Chapter 38?

6. How would you describe the sacrifice that Mariam makes in Chapter 46? What are the consequences of this sacrifice?

7. What major political events are detailed in Chapter 49? What are Laila's thoughts on these events?

8. When does Chapter 42 take place? What are the circumstances like at this time for Laila and Mariam?

9. How are the circumstances and lives of Laila, Tariq, and their children described in Chapter 51?

10. What transition takes place in Chapter 27? What circumstances are established at the beginning of this chapter?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the themes of friendship, education, and family in the novel. What does “family” mean to Laila? What does it mean to Mariam? What is the meaning of Laila’s friendship to Tariq? How important is it to her? Why does Laila’s father believe in women’s education?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the theme of sacrifice in A Thousand Splendid Suns. In what ways does Mariam’s sacrifice give life and freedom to Laila and her children? Is Laila aware of the sacrifice that Mariam makes for her? What does Mariam’s act mean to Laila?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the setting of Herat, Afghanistan in the 1960s. Who was the leader of the country at this time? What was the political atmosphere like? How many people lived in Herat? How was wealth distributed in the country and the city? Where does Mariam live with her mother at this time? What is their home like?

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