A Thousand Splendid Suns First Half

What is a "harami"? And who uses this word to describe Mariam?

• ignoramus, Nana says it because Mariam is clumsy

• "bastard," Nana says it because Mariam was born out of wedlock

• "tuberose," Jalil says it because Mariam is like a little flower that he likes.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

Read the following quote and select the correct set of answers.

"Learn this now and learn it well, my daughter: Like a compass needle points to north, a man's accusing finger always finds a woman. Always. You remember that, Mariam."

Which of the following statements is true regarding the quotation above?

• The compass is a man's accusing finger. This is a metaphor. The literal term is compass and the figurative term is finger.

• The compass is a man's accusing finger. This is a simile. The literal terms are "man's accusing finger" and the figurative is "compass.

• This is personification since a man's finger cannot literally point north.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

Nana once almost married, but something happened to "spook" the groom-to-be? What was the actual cause?

• A jinn (a male genie) entered her body and made her have a seizure. The groom was afraid their children would also be cursed.

• Nana had an epileptic seizure and, because of superstition, the groom thought she was possessed.

• Nana had a stroke which left her face drooping on one side.

Tags

CCSS.RI.1.1

CCSS.RI.2.1

CCSS.RI.3.1

CCSS.RL.2.1

CCSS.RL.3.1

Who brings supplies to Nana and Mariam on ration day and how does Nana react to this?

• Two young boys from the village, and Nana is grateful for the food.

• Two of Mariam's half-brothers and Nana mocks them and throws rocks at them.

• Jalil and Nana, though she hates him, always behaves very politely. She knows they need the food.

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

When Mullah Faizullah asks Nana about giving Mariam an education, Nana says that educating a girl was as useful as "shining a spittoon." (a spittoon is used by people who chew tobacco. What does this say about Nana's view of education, or Mariam, or both?

• Mariam will learn nothing useful. There's only one thing a woman in their culture needs, and it is not taught in school.

• Mariam is not smart enough to excel at school. She should just learn to cook.

• Mariam can learn more from Nana because Nana excelled in school.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

How did Nana die

• She shot herself with a gun that Jalil left behind in the Kolbah

• She stabbed herself with a dagger that she inherited from her father.

• She hung herself from the willow tree that stood outside the kolbah

• Jalil shot her

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RI.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.K.6

What does Mariam want for her 15th birthday?

• For Jalil to take her to his theater

• For Nana and Jalil to take her out to dinner

• For Jalil to let her sleep at his house

• For Nana and Jalil to get married

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

How does Jalil greet Mariam when he comes to the kolba?

• He runs to her and throws her up in the air and catches her.

• He sits under a tree and she runs to him and throws herself into his lap.

• Nana walks her to a clearing and Mariam and Jalil kiss on both cheeks.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.5.7

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.6.9

1. In 1973, something major happens in Afghanistan which Jalil tells Mariam about, but she is distracted by a gift in his pocket.

• The Soviets invade Afghanistan and begin a war.

• A bloodless coup in which one brother takes over from another and names himself the president of a Republic, rather than a Monarchy.

• One ruling brother murders another and becomes the new king of Afghanistan.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.9

CCSS.RL.8.9

What is the gift that Jalil brings to Mariam on one of his many visits when she's a child?

• He brings her a newspaper so she can know what's going on in the world.

• He brings her a little pendant (necklace) that Nana says is worth nothing.

• He brings her a fresh orange, as he does every Thursday.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.5.7

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.6.9