The power of fiction - Elif Shafak

Elif Shafak was born in Turkey.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

She was born in Strasbourg, France.

Both her mother and grandmother were highly spiritual.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

While her grandmother was spiritual, her mother was not.

Which (if any) of the following sentences about Elif’s first writing experiences is true:

• It was her grandmother who first introduced her to writing.

• Her first experience of writing was keeping a journal.

• The notebook was given to her as a sign of concern.

Fiction to Elif is about transcending autobiography.

• True

• False

The transfer of schools she mentions was a result of:

• A scholarship.

• A change of job.

• A political crisis.

Answer explanation

Her mother became a diplomat.

Which (if any) of the sentences about Elif’s international school is true:

• She skipped classes in order to take sailing lessons.

• There were no other Turkish students.

• The school’s diversity helped foster tolerance among students.

What three main stereotypes does she mention about Turkey?

What are the “Three Big Cs” Elif says that stories gave her while she was on the move?

Elif writes her fiction only in English.

• True.

• False.

Answer explanation

She writes both in Turkish and in Engish.

Which (if any) of the following sentences are true about Elif’s husband:

• Her grandmother introduced him to her.

• He born in the same place as Elif.

• He lived in Arizona.