Chronological Order of Events (Chp. 1-15) in Born Behind Bars

Reorder the following summaries from the first 5 chapters of Born Behind Bars. Put them in chronological order. Chronological order means putting events in the order they happened, from first to last.

Read through each option.

• Kabir imagines a wide, cool river as he waits at the rusty tap. He remembers a classmate, Malli, not understanding the idea of rivers “singing.” Imagination helps him escape the harsh prison reality.

• Kabir receives candy from Aunty Cloud and struggles with whether to share with Mouse Girl. Amma tells him that being good matters most, even if life is unfair. Kabir shares, earning Amma’s proud smile.

• Kabir finds a dead fly in his food, but Grandma Knife jokes and trades plates with him. Amma distracts the children with the story of Krishna, who was born in jail but destined for greatness. Kabir dreams of escaping and freeing Amma one day.

• To open the novel, Kabir describes how he can only see a tiny square of sky through the prison window. He imagines freedom with Amma, though his knowledge of the outside world is incomplete. Amma comforts him on his ninth birthday.

• Kabir explains the nicknames he gives to the women in his cell, including Grandma Knife and Aunty Cloud. A new prisoner, “Mouse Girl,” arrives, and her rude behavior causes tension. Kabir insists only Amma is his true family.

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Chapters 1-5: Using the SWBST summary strategy, match.

1. Somebody: Identify the main character or characters in the story.

2. Wanted: Determine the main character's goal, desire, or motivation.

3. But: Identify the conflict or problem that prevents the character from achieving their goal.

4. So: Explain how the character or others solve the problem or overcome the conflict.

5. Then: Describe the final outcome, resolution, or how the story ends.

• So

• Kabir

• Somebody

• He wanted to enjoy his birthday and imagine freedom outside the prison.

• But

• However, the guards insulted him, food was filthy, and life in jail felt harsh and unfair.

• Wanted

• He dreamed that one day he could free Amma, just as Krishna had freed his parents.

• Then

• He relied on Amma’s love, Grandma Knife’s protection, and his own imagination to cope.

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Reorder the following summaries from chapters 6-10 of Born Behind Bars. Put them in chronological order. Chronological order means putting events in the order they happened, from first to last.

Read through each option.

• Bedi Ma’am gives Kabir jasmine flowers and sweets for his birthday, which lifts his spirits. In the classroom, she supports the children, encourages artwork, and protects them from bullies. Kabir treasures the schoolroom as a rare place of beauty and safety.

• Kabir sings songs from the poet-saint Kabir, who bridged Hindu and Muslim traditions. His singing soothes the women in the cell, though Mouse Girl complains. Amma stays awake, praying for Appa’s return.

• Amma recalls letters and money once sent by Appa, which eventually stopped after he moved to Dubai. Kabir convinces himself his father still cares, though doubts creep in. Unlike Aunty Cloud, Kabir and Amma receive no visitors, only insects and sad thoughts.

• Kabir learns more about Amma’s past as a maid and Appa’s work as a driver. Amma was falsely accused of stealing a necklace, imprisoned without trial, and abandoned by wealthier people who assumed she was guilty. She tells Kabir that his birth gave her new hope.

• On the way to school, Kabir and Malli hear the cries of prisoners being punished by the strict new warden. Kabir recalls being bullied by Mean Teacher and her favorite student, Suba. He wonders if the new warden’s rules might mean his own release is near.

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Chapters 6-10: Using the SWBST summary strategy, match.

1. Somebody: Identify the main character or characters in the story.

2. Wanted: Determine the main character's goal, desire, or motivation.

3. But: Identify the conflict or problem that prevents the character from achieving their goal.

4. So: Explain how the character or others solve the problem or overcome the conflict.

5. Then: Describe the final outcome, resolution, or how the story ends.

• Then

• Amma had been falsely imprisoned, Appa was absent, bullies tormented him at school, and the new warden punished prisoners severely.

• Somebody

• He listened to Amma’s stories, sang songs that connected Hindu and Muslim traditions, and leaned on the kindness of Bedi Ma’am.

• Wanted

• He wanted to learn about his parents’ past, find hope, and enjoy school with Bedi Ma’am and Malli.

• So

• He found comfort in the schoolroom and held on to hope that freedom might come.

• But

• Kabir

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Reorder the following summaries from chapters 11-15 of Born Behind Bars. Put them in chronological order. Chronological order means putting events in the order they happened, from first to last.

Read through each option.

• Amma urges Kabir to promise he will never return to jail, even if life outside is hard. She wants him to write letters but not visit, fearing people will assume the worst. Kabir feels torn between Amma’s wishes and his desperate need to stay with her.

• Malli avoids Kabir because she is jealous that Bedi Ma’am spends more time with him. At recess, they argue, but Kabir admits he is scared to leave and will miss her. Later, Bedi Ma’am tells him that relatives have been found, an “uncle” connected to his father.

• Kabir throws at a mouse to drive it away, surprising Grandma Knife, who praises his quick action. She tells him to trust his instincts and believe in himself, giving him rare encouragement. Kabir realizes he now has three people who believe in him: Amma, Bedi Ma’am, and Grandma Knife.

• Bedi Ma’am reveals that Kabir must leave prison because he is too old, but Amma cannot leave with him. Kabir resists, devastated at the thought of separation. The butterfly Bedi Ma’am saved becomes a symbol of courage and transformation, though Kabir feels unready.

• Bedi Ma’am teaches Kabir practical survival skills like handling money and bus tickets. She warns him about water shortages and ethnic tensions that make the outside world dangerous. Kabir feels overwhelmed by her rushed lessons and heavy warnings.

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Chapters 7-15: Using the SWBST summary strategy, match.

1. Somebody: Identify the main character or characters in the story.

2. Wanted: Determine the main character's goal, desire, or motivation.

3. But: Identify the conflict or problem that prevents the character from achieving their goal.

4. So: Explain how the character or others solve the problem or overcome the conflict.

5. Then: Describe the final outcome, resolution, or how the story ends.

• Then

• The warden ordered him to leave prison, Amma begged him never to return, and Malli grew jealous of him.

• Somebody

• He wanted to stay with Amma and celebrate his birthday in peace.

• But

• • He learned he had a relative nearby, giving him a chance at family beyond the prison walls.

• Wanted

• Kabir

• So

• He accepted guidance and rushed lessons from Amma, Grandma Knife, and Bedi Ma’am to prepare for life outside.

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What is the main conflict introduced in the first chapters (1–5)?

• Kabir struggles with Amma over sharing food.

• Kabir is born in prison and dreams of freedom.

• Kabir is teased by bullies in the schoolroom.

• Kabir cannot remember his father.

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Which event in Chapters 6–10 shows the conflict becoming more complicated?

• Kabir sings songs that help others sleep.

• Kabir learns Appa’s letters have stopped.

• Kabir hears prisoners being punished under the new warden.

• Kabir eats jasmine sweets from Bedi Ma’am.

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Why does Kabir feel torn when Amma makes him promise never to return to jail?

• He knows he might want to visit his friends.

• He believes the guards will hurt him outside.

• He wants to stay and become a teacher.

• He does not want to leave her behind.

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How does Kabir’s view of himself shift across the first fifteen chapters?

• He goes from dreaming of freedom to realizing he must be brave outside of Amma’s care.

• He goes from trusting Amma’s stories to becoming angry at her that she is still in jail.

• He goes from noticing the guards’ cruelty to deciding they are actually kind people.

• He goes from imagining rivers and skies to deciding he should stop asking questions.

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