Words in the Dust Chapter 1 Questions (Formative Grade)

  1. Describe what Zulaikha’s home looks like compared to your home. Include 5-6 items that are different from your house or your home routine.
  2. Compare Zulaikha’s memories of her mother to her “2nd” mother (2nd wife). How do they differ. Why do you think the treatment is different?
  3. If a child’s opinion’s and attitude is a reflection of their parent’s, what does Anwar’s treatment of Zulaikha say about how his family views women, especially with disabilities?

Words in the Dust Chapter 2 Questions (Formative Grade)

  1. Why does Baba (Father) refer to the Americans as “infidels?”
  2. What are the reasons that the Americans are building a school and other buildings around town?
  3. If a child’s opinion and attitude is a reflection of their parents’, then how does Khalid’s attitude and treatment of his sisters reflect his father’s opinion of women?

Words in the Dust Chapter 3 Questions (Formative Grade)

  1. How could the American building projects change the life of Zulaikha’s family?
  2. What was the REAL reason Malehkah sent Zulaikha’s back to the market?
  3. How is this an example of defying her husband without openly defying him?

Words in the Dust Chapter 5 Questions (Formative Grade)

  1. According to Meena, how was life different before the Taliban than during the Taliban’s rule?
  2. Why do you think hermother named Zulaikha after a beautiful princess?

Words in the Dust Chapter 6 Question (Formative Grade)

  1. Why do you think Zulaikha doesn’t tell her family, especially Zeynab, about Meena?

Words in the Dust Chapter 7 Questions (Formative Grade)

  1. What is the purpose of the Americans handing out toys and candy to the children?
  2. Why do you think Zulaikha didn’t understand the concept of gifts?
  3. Why did she not pick out a toy for herself?

Words in the Dust Chapter 8 Questions (Formative Grade)

  1. What is the motivation to “fix” Zulaikha’s mouth? Is the American’s motivation different from Zulaikah and her family’s?

Words in the Dust Chapter 9 Questions (Formative Grade)

  1. What is the purpose of the parties if the marriage is arranged by the men, like a business deal?
  2. Why was it surprising and unexpected that Tahir’s 1st and 2nd wives didn’t come?
  3. Do you think the reason given is the real reason? What other reason could there have been?
  4. Why do you think Gulzuma behaves the way she does at the party?

Words in the Dust Chapter 10 Questions (Formative Grade)

  1. How was learning to read and write different from how we learn to read and write? What is similar?

Words in the Dust Chapter 11 Questions (Formative Grade)

  1. What are some signs that Zulaikha is loved by her father?
  2. What was strange/unusual about how the Americans greeted by shaking hands? Why would it be offensive to Afghans?
  1. Why did Baba get so angry when they couldn’t go by helicopter?
  2. Do you think he would have reacted differently if the Captain wasn’t a woman?

Words in the Dust Chapter 12 Questions (Formative Grade)

  1. Why was Zulaikah’s mother killed by the Taliban? (what was the motivation)
  2. What part did Baba play in his wife’s death?
  3. Why do you think he made the decision he made?
  4. Do you think Zulaikha blames her father in the death of her mother?

Words in the Dust Chapter 13-14 Questions (Formative Grade)

  1. How are weddings different in Afghan culture than in America? Similarities and differences
  2. Why do you think Malehkah is sad during the post wedding party?
  3. Describe some of the rituals during the post wedding party. What do they represent?
  4. Compare actuality with the meaning of the rituals. Do the meanings “match up” with reality?
  5. “So much attention on gifts” and Baby mentions the business deal made at the wedding. What does this reveal about both families?

Words in the Dust Chapter 15-17 Questions (Formative Grade)

  1. Compare Kandalhar to Zulaikha’s village. What are similarities and differences? What fascinated her?
  2. What type of things confused, surprised or was just plain different about the American base?
  3. Why did they keep putting down the pork choices? Why did Captain Mindy keep offering?

Words in the Dust Chapter 18 Questions (Formative Grade)

  1. Women are allowed to vote in Afghanistan. However, is ti REALLY their choice? Explain
  2. Why do you think Meena offered to take Zulaikaha with her to Heart?
  3. Explain why Zulaikha would hesitate at the chance.
  4. Four men discus the new election of a woman. How does this conversation show how the Afghan men feel about the new election?
  5. What are some “red flags” that are raised when Zulaikaha sees Zeynab in the market? What are the red flags telling you about how she’s being treated?
  6. Why do you think Zeynab says good bye the ways she does?

Words in the Dust Chapter 19-20 Questions (Formative Grade)

  1. Compare the American hospital the Afghani women’s hospital. How does this reflect the attitude of the culture?
  2. What is strange about Tahir’s attitude and reaction?
  3. The author doesn’t say what happened. Explain what you think happened. Cite clues from this and previous chapters.

Words in the Dust Chapter 21 Questions (Formative Grade)

  1. Explain why Baba is taking what happened so hard. Do you think he recognizes his poor decisions that he has made or it reminds him of his 1st wife’s death?
  2. Why do you think Zulaikaha is hesitant of Meena’s offer?

Words in the Dust Chapter 22 Questions (Formative Grade)

  1. What are 3 reasons Baba is adamant about not allowing Zulaikaha to be educated? (spoken and unspoken)
  2. Why does Malehkah stand up for Zulaikaha?
  3. Baba thinks over his decisions about the women in his household. What realization does he make?