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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. How old was Kimiâ when she had a period of reading mostly poetry?

2. What adjective does Kimiâ use to describe her partner Anna's smile near the end of Side B: Chapter 2?

3. Which country earned the nickname of "the great Satan" (262) after Khomeini's ascent to power?

4. Kimiâ describes her father Darius "tossing her into" (162) what body of water?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Provide an example from the novel when Djavadi uses a literary device to provide insight into Kimiâ's psyche.

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

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

5. How is the theme of isolation depicted within Side A: Chapter 8?

6. What do the Sadr family's photograph albums discussed in Chapter 8 symbolize?

7. Compare Mina's reaction with Leïli's reaction as they both struggle to adapt to a whole new life in France.

8. What clues does Djavadi provide that suggest dangerous conditions for the Sadr family, even after they reach France?

9. Characterize the relationship between Kimiâ and her father Darius during Kimiâ's childhood.

10. What does Kimiâ name as her "only country" and her "only homeland" (267) during her teens?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the function of Sara's character within the novel? Discuss the characterization methods used by Djavadi in depicting Sara and include in your discussion the reasons that Djavadi portrays Sara in these particular ways.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the messages sent about the theme of appearance versus reality within Disoriental.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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