View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who did Shiite Muslims wish to succeed the Prophet Mohammed after he died?

2. Which historical figure is second only to the Prophet Mohammed in the eyes of Shiite Muslims?

3. What is the Savak concept of guilt and innocence?

4. How did Iran's infrastructure change under Reza Khan's rule?

5. What beverage is Kapuscinski sipping at the beginning of the book?

Short Essay Questions

1. What changes to the country does Shah Pahlavi make as part of his Great Civilization? How does the world regard the Shah during this time?

2. Describe the photograph involving the scene at the bus stop (Photograph 7).

3. Why and how is Doctor Mossadegh forced from office?

4. Around Kapuscinski's hotel, what is the state of the streets and of overall security and safety of citizens?

5. What event causes Khomeini to call for the Shah to step down as leader? What do Khomeini and others like him think of Shah Pahlavi?

6. On the television in "Cards, Faces, Fields of Flowers," what is Khomeini preaching? What is his message?

7. What is the story, as told through Kapuscinski examining a photograph, of the grandfather of the last Shah of Iran, Mohammed Reza Pahlavi?

8. What part does the mosque play in events leading up to the Iranian revolution?

9. Describe why Kapuscinski feels that Shiism and Iranian culture were well-matched.

10. Describe the important event of December 23, 1973, as it relates to Iranian history.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the extended metaphor Kapuscinski uses to describe the Shah and the Great Civilization. How does Kapuscinski get across the point of the Shah's failure and ignorance?

Essay Topic 2

Who were the Savak? Describe their organizational structure and purpose. What tactics did they use to accomplish their aims? List specific tactics.

Essay Topic 3

Describe the basic philosophical differences between conservatism and liberalism. How was this debate/struggle manifest in the aftermath of the Iranian Revolution?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 917 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample