‘Parvana’ by Deborah Ellis
Comprehension Questions for Homework
Chapters 2-5 Due Wednesday March 10
Chapters 6-8 Due Thursday March 12
Chapters 9-12 Due Monday March 15
Chapters 13-14 Due Tuesday March 16
Chapter 15 Discussed in class
Chapter Two
1. Sketch a toshak.
2. There was animosity between Parvana and her sister, Nooria. Explain what this means, using evidence from Chapter 2.
3. Why did the women spend so much time cleaning? Page 23
4. Sketch a shalwar kameez. Page26
5. How would Parvana’s life have been different if Hossain had lived? Page27
6. Who or what was nan? Page 28
7. Who was Malali? In telling the story of Malali, what message was Father giving to the family about their situation? Pages 29-31
8. Why do you think the Taliban burned books?
9. Why do you think the Taliban violently seized Parvana’s father?
10. Why does Father call Parvana “my Malali”? Page 33
Chapter Three
1. What did Parvana’s father’s snoring symbolise to her? Page 37
2. Fatana was strong and had great pride. Find evidence for this statement. Pages 40 - 42
3. Why do you think photographs were illegal? Page 42
4. How did the thought of Malali inspire Parvana? Page 42
5. Parvana showed courage even when afraid. Find some evidence for this statement Pages 42 - 43
Chapter Four
1. How did Parvana know that things were getting back to normal? Page 50
2. List what was wrong in Parvana’s household? Page 53
Chapter Five
1. Why did Parvana feel strange? Page 56
2. What was the Afghan Women’s Union? Page 59
3. Why was Nooria so relieved to see Mrs Weera? Page 60
4. How did Mrs Weera help Parvana’s family? Pages 62-64
Chapter Six
1. What was the solution to the problem? Page 65
2. What reservations did Parvana have about the proposed transformation?
3. Sketch a picture of Parvana in her new role. Page 70
4. What did Parvana realise when she first went out dressed in different clothes? Page 72-73
5. How did Parvana feel after she had been to the market? Page 73
6. Parvana’s mother had mixed feelings about Parvana’s new role. Describe her feelings. Pages 74-75
Chapter Seven
1. Who was Kaseem? Page 77
2. Parvana felt empathy for the Taliban soldier. Why? Page 81.
3. What is Deborah Ellis suggesting through this scene about the Taliban Militia?
4. Parvana was a good salesperson. Find evidence for this statement. Page 83
Chapter Eight
1. Mrs Weera believed in teamwork. Find evidence for this. Pages 61, 85.
2. What issues are highlighted by the use of this ‘Team’ concept?
3. What made going outdoors difficult for Maryam? Page 89
4. The final sentence of the chapter has great dramatic impact. Explain how Deborah Ellis has created this. How does it create intrigue in the reader? Page 96
Chapter Nine
1. What job did Shauzia have? Page 97
2. ‘So there were other girls like her in Kabul.’ Page 98. How do you think this made Parvana feel?
3. What had happened to Shauzia’s father and brother? Page 99
4. How would a tray help Parvana? Page 100
5. Mrs Weera had a plan. What was her plan? Page 102
6. Who was the ‘Window Woman’? What did her existence reveal about Afghanistan society? Page 104
Chapter ten
1. Why were the girls digging up bones? Page 108
2. ‘Kabul has more landmines than flowers.’ Page 111. Who said this? Why was it a sad reflection on how life had changed in the city?
3. What is a ‘bone broker’? Page P107, 112
4. Thinking about the future helped Parvana and Shauzia endure their difficult day. Explain what they thought about. Page 113
Chapter Eleven
1. Why did Fatana oppose Parvana’s new job? Page 117
2. What does Mrs Weera’s statement: “These are unusual times. They call for ordinary people to do unusual things, just to get by,” mean? Page 118
3. How had Parvana’s relationship with Nooria changed? Page 120
4. Describe what happened at the soccer ground. Page 122 - 123
Chapter Twelve
1. List three things Parvana did when she was at home with her family. P125. Why do you think she needed a break?
2. Mrs Weera was a positive influence within Parvana’s family. Explain how. Page 126
3. Shauzia had a dream. What was her dream? Pages127-128
4. Shauzia’s physical development worried her. Explain why. Page 129
5. Parvana yearned to be back at school. Why? Pages 130 and 132
6. What is meant by “”This wasn’t a summer vacation that would end and then life would get back to normal. This was normal, and Parvana was tired of it.” Page 132
7. The last sentence in Chapter Twelve marks a turning point in the story. What do you think might happen?
Chapter Thirteen
1. What factors motivated Nooria to consider the marriage arrangement? Page 138
2. Why was Parvana so upset? Page 140
Chapter Fourteen
1. How did Parvana help the woman she met? Page 147
2. What evening activities had Parvana’s parents done during the evenings in previous years? Page 149
3. The Taliban is in Mazar.’ Page 153. Why was this an alarming fact for Parvana to hear?
4. Parvana knew she could not refuse. Page 156. Why?
Chapter Fifteen
1. How had Parvana’s father’s appearance changed on his return from prison? Page 157
2. ‘Parvana was filled with hope.’ What changed her attitude? P159
3. Why did Shauzia’s family want her to marry? P160
4. What is a refugee camp? What do you think it would be like living in such a place? Page 161
5. Where did Mrs Weera plan to go? Why? P162
6. The flowers were very symbolic. What did Parvana’s planting symbolise? Page 164. Find a quotation to show this p165
7. Sketch the Eiffel Tower. What did this place represent for Shauzia and Parvana?