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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. The term “manteaux” carries which of the following meanings, per the novel?

2. Which of the following is Shirin’s favorite place to kiss Stephen when others are present?

3. The comment that “my stomach jiggled like some sort of gelatinous non-humanoid life-form” (251) offers an example of which of the following?

4. The word “baleh” carries which of the following meanings, per the novel?

5. The term “khodahafes” carries which of the following meanings, per the novel?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is sekanjabin in the novel?

2. Why does Darius end up feeling sorry for Ali-Reza?

3. What are the three things Darius notes liking in Sohrab while walking with him and his family?

4. Why, per Darius, is sumac served as an accompaniment to chelo kabob?

5. What reasons does Darius give for being jealous of Sohrab at the Bahrami Nowruz party?

6. Why does Darius note that Stephen’s chin scratches him?

7. What reasons does Shirin give for not having taught Darius Farsi?

8. Why, as Darius asserts to Sohrab at the Bahrami Nowruz celebration, does he think Stephen does not love him?

9. What mess does Darius note is left by the Bahrami Nowruz celebration?

10. Why does Darius begin to get angry with Laleh as they leave Ashkan’s store?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Near the end of “The Best of Both Worlds,” the narrator notes that he nearly refused to play soccer,

“But that’s what Darius would have done.

“Darioush would have tried out.

“I thought about telling Sohrab that I had made the team. And sending him photos of me in my kit. And him squinting and congratulating me.

“I thought about having fun on the field, like I did with him and Asghar and even Ali-Reza and Hossein.

“‘Maybe I will,’ I said. ‘Maybe I will’” (306-07).

Which persona does the narrator ultimately adopt, Darius or Darioush? What in the novel suggests as much? How does it do so?

Essay Topic 2

Darius notes not wanting Sohrab to see him suck on the tassels of his hoodie (236) or to see him take his depression medication (240), but he does seem to be okay with Sohrab seeing him undressed or seeing him cry. Why? What in the novel suggests that reason? How does it do so?

Essay Topic 3

At the end of “Chelo Kabob,” Stephen appears to reach an accord with his father- and brothers-in-law during a conversation about grilling (261). Why would the topic serve such a function? What in the novel and in experience indicates as much? How does it do so?

(see the answer keys)

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