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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. Why does Nafisi remind the students of Nabokov?

2. What does Nassrin's mother teach her daughter?

3. Chapter 12 takes place during which season?

4. What do the class members take turns doing each week?

5. What secret does Nassrin tell Nafisi?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Nafisi consider Humbert to be a seducer of the readers of "Lolita"?

2. In Part 1, Chapter 18, the room where the class meets becomes a character. How does Nafisi describe the room?

3. In Chapter 2, why does Nafisi describe the first meeting of the study group in present tense instead of past tense?

4. Why does Nafisi describe the three types of women portrayed in "A Thousand and One Nights"?

5. How is the generation of Nafisi's students different from the generation of Nafisi and her peers?

6. How do the university officials react to Nafisi before and after her resignation?

7. What is the relationship between the imaginary rain shower and the meeting of Nafisi's class?

8. Why does Nassrin say she has been caught in the middle of tradition and change her entire life?

9. How does the Iranian regime expect women to behave on the streets of Tehran?

10. Why does Nafisi include Part 1, Chapter 12 in her memoir?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the memoir, Nafisi returns to the issue of wearing the veil. Write an essay that addresses Nafisi's feelings about the veil. What does the veil represent for Nafisi personally? What does it represent for her professionally? How is the veil used as a symbol in this book?

Essay Topic 2

America is presented as both reality and symbol, as a concept and a country. Describe the various ways America is interpreted and understood by those in Nafisi's classes and the Iranian government. How do those interpretations compare to Nafisi's personal memories and descriptions of America? What elements of America are emphasized? What elements of America are omitted? Why are there omissions?

Essay Topic 3

In Section I, Chapter 14, Nafisi quotes Nabokov: "Curiosity is insubordination in its purest form." Write an essay that addresses the following questions about Nabokov's quote: What is the meaning of this quote? Why would curiosity be considered insubordination? What is the role of curiosity in Nafisi's book? Who is described as being curious? How does Nafisi's curiosity impact her students? How does their curiosity demonstrate insubordination?

(see the answer keys)

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