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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Where were American hostages held as a result of the Iranian revolution?
(a) Khomeini's residence in Qom.
(b) The Teheran National Bank.
(c) The United Nations building in Teheran.
(d) The U.S. Embassy.

2. What is Mahmud Azari's brother's part in the revolution?
(a) The brother is a revolutionary who speaks against the Shah.
(b) The brother is a member of the Savak.
(c) The brother stays out of the fight and is apolitical.
(d) The brother is solidly pro-Shah.

3. Why does Mahmud Azari return to Iran after an absence?
(a) He is personally resolved to do his part in the revolution.
(b) He is requested to return by his brother.
(c) He is attracted by the charisma of Khomeini.
(d) He gets a job transfer as part of the modernization initiative.

4. How long is Mahmud Azari away from his native Iran?
(a) Twenty years.
(b) Two years.
(c) Eight years.
(d) Three weeks.

5. How old is Razak?
(a) 12.
(b) 18.
(c) 9.
(d) 15.

6. In the extended metaphor of the play, who is the star?
(a) The Iranian poor.
(b) The Shah.
(c) Khomeini.
(d) America.

7. By the late 1970s, what is the population of Teheran?
(a) Fifteen million.
(b) Thirty thousand.
(c) One million.
(d) Five million.

8. What activity is NOT done after the massacre of Qom?
(a) Bodies are left to rot in the streets as a reminder of the tragedy.
(b) The dead are wrapped in sheets.
(c) There are funeral services for the dead.
(d) The dead are prayed over.

9. Why are revolutions rare, according to Kapuscinski?
(a) Revolutions are actually common, but the media fails to report on them.
(b) Dictators have become very good at stopping them before they start.
(c) Humans avoid that which is uncomfortable.
(d) It takes a great deal of death to move humanity to action.

10. According to Kapuscinski, the Shah has what view of human nature?
(a) Man is an abject creature.
(b) Man is a prideful creature.
(c) Man is a noble creature.
(d) Man is a savage creature.

11. Which organization is responsible for censorship decisions under the Shah?
(a) The Office of General Information.
(b) The Iranian Writers' Association.
(c) The Savak.
(d) The religious mullahs.

12. What two camps does the post-revolution government divide itself into?
(a) Siege and assault.
(b) Fascist and socialist.
(c) Liberal and anarcho-capitalist.
(d) Conservative and progressive.

13. The Savak conduct a raid on which location, resulting in the arrest of many students?
(a) A bazaar.
(b) A private home holding secret meetings.
(c) A mosque.
(d) A university.

14. Who leads the progressive factions after the revolution?
(a) Beheshti.
(b) Razak Ferdousi.
(c) Bani Sadr.
(d) Mahmud Azari.

15. While back in Iran, Mahmud Azari is handed revolutionist literature written by whom?
(a) Mohammed Ferdousi.
(b) Ali Asqara Jawadi.
(c) Doctor Mossadegh.
(d) Soraya Esfandiari.

Short Answer Questions

1. In the extended metaphor of the play, who is the director?

2. Why does Kapuscinski believe revolutions often preach a return to tradition?

3. After Azari's beating, what powerful emotion grips him?

4. Where must Mahmud Azari report to shortly upon his return to Iran?

5. What is the Shah's response to increasing revolution violence?

(see the answer keys)

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