WorksheetsCh 7 - 10 A Thousand Splendid Suns
Total questions: 10
Worksheet time: 5mins
Who is the suitor that has been chosen for Mariam?
Rasheed, a business acquaintance of Mariam's father Jalil.
Rasheed, a young man who is Mariam's first cousin.
Rasheed, a complete stranger who Jalil recently met who was widowed.
What does Mariam think about when Jalil's wives are trying to "sell her" on the idea of marriage?
It is illegal to marry at the age of 15.
Her two half-sisters, her own age, are studying in school, and both are planning to go to university.
She is happy at Jalil's and does not want to leave.
Does Jalil try to stop his wives from getting Mariam married off?
Yes, he tries to talk them into letting Mariam stay with them, but they will not hear of it.
No, it is obvious to Mariam that this marriage is probably Jalil's idea.
No, Jalil talks his wives into it, over their objections.
How long does Mariam have to get used to the idea of getting married to Rasheed?
The wives give her only a week to prepare herself.
Mariam has a month to arrange for her wedding clothes.
Mariam is married to Rasheed the day after she is told about it.
Rasheed's "nails were yellow-brown, like the inside of a rotting apple...."
This is an example of personification.
This is an example of a metaphor.
This is an example of a simile.
When Rasheed and Mariam leave, what is the parting like between Mariam and his father.
Mariam tells him it's over between them, "I don't want to hear from you. Ever. Ever." Jalil tries to say goodbye as the bus is rolling away.
Jalil says he will come to visit her in Kabul and Mariam tells him she will be counting on it.
Mariam and Jalil try to say a proper goodbye, but Rasheed grabs Mariam by the hand and practically drags her onto the bus.
What does Rasheed say is one thing he cannot stand, and he has not patience for?
A woman crying.
A disobedient wife.
Bad cooking.
Ironically, Rasheed gives Mariam a small gift upon her arrival at his home in Kabul. What is it?
He gives her a terrarium with tiny pebbles like the ones she used to play with as stand ins for her half siblings.
He puts a vase of tuberoses on the window sill. Mariam knows that these are the flowers Jalil said she was named for.
Jalil gives her a blue and white pitcher just like the one she broke on the first page of the book when Nana called her a clumsly little "harami."
Rasheed makes an effort in the early days of their marriage to make friends with Mariam, sharing details of his day and telling her of gossip he hears. What has happened in America (a big deal) that Rasheed mentions?
It is 1988. Ronald Reagan has called for the the Berlin Wall to come down.
It is 1974. Richard Nixon has just resigned as president.
It is 1969. The Americans have landed a man on the moon.
When Mariam cooks Rasheed his first meal, what does he think of her cooking?
He says the food is inedible.
He says that she cooks as well as his late wife.
He says that it's undersalted, but good; maybe even better than good.
