Shooting Kabul

Multiple Choice and Long Answer questions create ideal opportunities for whole-book review, unit exam, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. Which of the following phrases best describes why Professor Sahib gives Fadi and his family a ride in Chapter 1?

A) Because he is the only one who knows the way to Jalalabad

B) Because Fadi was his best student at Kabul University

C) Because he was the professor of Habib

D) Because he is also fleeing Afghanistan himself

2. Which of the following words best describes the moment in which Fadi and his family try to get on the truck in Chapter 2?

A) Orderly and dignified

B) Safe and bureaucratic

C) Confusing and apathetic

D) Chaotic and dangerous

3. Which of the following sentences best describes how Zafoona feels about leaving Mariam in Afghanistan?

A) She is happy that Mariam decided to pursue her education full-time.

B) She is distraught that Habib was unable to find her.

C) She is confident that the US embassy will find Mariam because she is a US citizen.

D) She is resolved to go back into Afghanistan herself and find her daughter.

4. Which of the following best describes the biggest difference in the novel’s setting between Chapters 3 and 4?

A) Chapter 3 is a flashback, while Chapter 4 is present day.

B) Chapter 3 is set in Afghanistan, while Chapter 4 is set in Pakistan.

C) Chapter 3 is set on an airplane, while Chapter 4 is set in San Francisco.

D) Chapter 3 is a foreshadowing to their home in Wisconsin, while Chapter 4 is present day.

5. “‘I’m so thankful to Allah you are here safely,’ she said, her voice as wispy as a spider’s web.” Which literary term is used in this quote?

A) Simile

B) Irony

C) Allegory

D) Personification

6. Which of the following words best describes how Fadi feels about the loss of Mariam?

A) Relief

B) Hatred

C) Fear

D) Guilt

7. What does Fadi notice about his new classmates on the first day of school?

A) They are kind and welcoming people.

B) They are rude to the Arabic-speaking kids.

C) They have known each other for a long time.

D) They are concerned about Fadi’s well-being.

8. Why is Fadi conflicted about joining the photography club at school?

A) He knows his father would never let him join because it is an emasculating activity.

B) He believes that none of the girls will like him if they see him with a camera.

C) He does not have the money to purchase a camera.

D) He feels that he should be saving all his money to buy a ticket back to Pakistan.

9. “‘Study hard, young man,’ said the passenger, bending down to look through the driver’s window. He tapped on the steering wheel with his cane. ‘If you don’t study and work hard, you’ll end up a taxi driver like your father’” (Chapter 11). What false assumption does this passenger make about Habib and Fadi?

A) That Habib studied to be a taxi driver

B) That driving taxis is a lucrative endeavor

C) That attending university means one will automatically earn a job in the person’s field

D) That hard work does not necessarily correlate with making money

10. Based on the conversation amongst the adults in the Little Kabul grocery store, which of the following phrases best describes how Afghans feel about the Taliban regime?

A) Conflicted

B) Confident

C) Calm

D) Careless

11. As Fadi walks down the aisle of Barbie dolls in Toys “R” Us, he observes that, “Cowgirl Barbie gave him an accusing glare. Artist Barbie stood next to her, holding a paintbrush, sharing a conspiratorial frown with Doctor Barbie. Fadi’s chest tightened, and he glanced downward. Assembled on the bottom row stood a platoon of Barbies from around the world. Native American, Korean, Spanish, Nigerian, and Austrian Barbie were whispering to one another … whispering about Gulmina.” Which of the following literary terms does Fadi use in this quote?

A) Simile

B) Paradox

C) Allegory

D) Personification

12. Which of the following words best describes how Fadi feels after being attacked at school by Felix and Ike?

A) Embarrassed

B) Emboldened

C) Egotistical

D) Vengeful

13. Throughout the novel, Fadi frequently references a girl named Claudia. Which of the following sentences best describes Claudia?

A) A character from one of his favorite books

B) The name of Mariam’s Barbie doll

C) Noor’s best friend from McDonald’s

D) A TV presenter that he watches to improve his English

14. Which of the following words best describes how Fadi feels at the end of the novel?

A) Discouraged

B) Guilty

C) Fearful

D) Satisfied

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating text details to support your response.

1. Consider the narration style of the novel. Who is the narrator? From which perspective is the novel written? Why is this narration style effective?

2. Although the story is written in English, the author makes links to the family’s native language of Farsi as well as Islamic faith. What is the purpose of including these language choices?