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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. Kimiâ calls 1979 "the year of" (193) what?

2. Kimiâ describes punk music as a genre that "denounces the hypocrisy of" (267) what?

3. How many of the two most valued physical characteristics in the Sadr family does Kimiâ claim to exhibit?

4. What action did Kimiâ take that resulted in Sara's decision to stop speaking to her for weeks?

5. Which character watched as Darius walked toward the mailbox to send his letter in Side A: Chapter 8?

Short Essay Questions

1. What two traits does Kimiâ lack, both of which are deemed desirable traits within her family?

2. What is unusual about the footnote on page 263 within Side B: Chapter 2 and with what theme does it dovetail?

3. What change does Sara undergo during the transition from summer to fall in Side B: Chapter 2?

4. What transformation does Mina undergo as a result of the family's relocation to France and why is it ironic?

5. What is Kimiâ's secret reason for taking up the hobby of swimming?

6. What does Kimiâ's blue and white striped tee shirt symbolize within the narrative?

7. What four-year endeavor does Sara undertake once the Sadr family is forced to flee to Paris and why does Kimia feel guilty in relation to Sara's endeavor?

8. For what reason does Kimiâ allude to the Hollywood actresses Ava Gardner and Susan Hayward in Chapter 9?

9. In what ways do the themes of danger and courage come together within Darius's decision to write a particular letter?

10. In Chapter 8, Kimiâ admits the lack of evidence she has to back up her story, saying, "I have no proof to show you. None. Not even a birth certificate. You'll just have to take my word for it" (160). What does she mean?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Djavadi's decision to include humor within the novel Disoriental. What purpose did Djavadi have in mind when including these instances of humor and how does the inclusion of these instances support the overarching themes and messages of the text?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Djavadi's choice to have the story of Disoriental told by a first-person narrator who speaks directly to the reader throughout the novel. What elements of the novel's themes lend themselves to this choice and what are Djavadi’s intended effects on the reader?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze the interplay between the resolution of Disoriental and one of the novel's main messages. How does Djavadi make connections between these elements and how does their juxtaposition help them get across one main message of the novel?

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