Persepolis

Which of the following words most accurately describes what Marji is feeling in the following passage (page 134, panel 4)?

The three minutes seemed like three days. For the first time, I realized just how much danger we were in.

• shame

• dread

• exuberance

• indifference

Answer explanation

Marji is waiting with fearful apprehension for the missile to strike.

Which of the following words best replaces circumspect as it is used in the passage below (page 135, panel 2)?

“Some people, more circumspect, took shelter in the basements of big hotels, well-known for their safety. Apparently, their reinforced concrete structures were bombproof.”

• optimistic

• circuitous

• cautious

• aggressive

Which of the following statements best summarizes page 136 in the excerpt?

• Marji no longer leaves her house because of the missile attacks.

• Marji tries to live a normal life despite the war.

• Marji is no longer permitted to see her friends.

• Marji tries to convince her family to leave Tehran.

Answer explanation

In this passage, Marji is shopping for new jeans with one of her friends.

The tone of the following passage (page 140, panel 1) can best be described as fill in the blank_______?

When we walked past the Baba-Levy’s house, which was completely destroyed, I could feel that she was discreetly pulling me away. Something told me that the Baba-Levys had been at home. Something caught my attention.

Answer choices for the above question

• grim

• sarcastic

• upbeat

• ironic

Answer explanation

The explosion site is gloomy and joyless.

Based on the text, which of these inferences about life in Tehran during the war is most likely true?

• The missile attacks are worse at night than during the day

• There are very few safe places during missile attacks.

• Leaving the city is more dangerous than staying.

• Tehran is the safest city in Iran.

Answer explanation

A single missile can demolish virtually any building in the city.

Which sentence from the text most strongly supports that a single missile can demolish virtually any building in the city.

• “We Iranians are Olympic champions when it comes to gossip.”

• “You can’t go beyond this point.”

• “Considering the damage they do, whether we’re in the basement or on the roof, it’s the same thing.”

• “Our currency had lost all its value.”

Which of the following inferences about the Baba-Levy family is best supported by the text?

• They didn’t take the missile strikes seriously.

• They left Tehran the night before.

• They were safe in a shelter under one of the hotels.

• They were in their home during the explosion.

Answer explanation

On the Jewish Sabbath, it is customary to remain at home.

Which sentence from the text most strongly supports they were in their home during the explosion.

• “Something told me that the Baba-Levys had been at home.”

• “Mom’s pessimism soon won out over Dad’s optimism.”

• “If someone had timed me, I think I would have beat the world speed record.”

• “For the first time, I realized just how much danger we were in.”

Answer explanation

This sentence foreshadows that the Baba-Levys were home during the attack, which is confirmed by later evidence.

Match each line of dialogue with its speaker.

• Marji’s mother

• “No scream in the world could have relieved my suffering or my anger.”
  

• Marji’s father

• “All the windows are broken, but there’s not a piece of glass in the house!”

• Neda

• “…one day a blond prince with blue eyes will come and take me to his castle...”

• Marji

• “My natural optimism just leads me to be skeptical.”

Order these events chronologically as they occur in the text:

• Marji’s father doubts Iraq will use ballistic missiles against Iran.

• Tehran starts to feel deserted because so many families leave once the attacks start.

• While Marji is shopping, she hears about an explosion that occurred in her neighborhood.

• Marji sees Neda’s bracelet in the rubble.