Key Events
What important part of Malala’s life is established at the beginning of the memoir?
Malala is an ordinary student who cares deeply about school, her family, her friends, and her education.
Which two words best describe Malala?
Courageous + Determined
What does the Greek prefix pseudo- mean?
False
Which is a theme of the selection?
A. School uniforms are important.
B. People should fight for their beliefs.
C. Friends should always agree.
D. Exams are difficult.
B. People should fight for their beliefs.
Why are the introductory paragraphs important?
A. They predict Malala will become famous.
B. They explain why the men are looking for her.
C. They establish what Malala’s life is like.
D. They compare Malala to her brother.
C. They establish what Malala’s life is like.
What does Radio Mullah announce?
Girls will no longer be allowed to attend school after January 15.
What does Malala’s statement:
“School was our right.”
reveal about her?
She strongly believes girls deserve an education and is willing to stand up for that belief.
What is a pseudonym?
A false or fake name used instead of someone’s real name.
What important opportunity does Malala believe girls should have?
The opportunity to receive an education.
Based on the events when the school vehicle stops and the young men ask:
“Who is Malala?”
what can the reader conclude?
That something bad happens to Malala.
What happens to Malala’s class after the Taliban announces that girls cannot attend school?
The number of girls drops from:
27 → 10
because many families are afraid for their daughters’ safety.
Why does Malala say:
“Why not me?”
She volunteers to write the BBC diary when others are too afraid or unable to participate.
What pseudonym does Malala use?
Gul Makai
Which quotation BEST supports the idea that education is extremely important to Malala?
A. “I had many friends...”
B. “The story sounded like our story.”
C. “It’s so calm today.”
D. “At home in the evenings I wondered what I would do with my life if I couldn’t go to school.”
D. “At home in the evenings I wondered what I would do with my life if I couldn’t go to school.”
What information does the map provide?
A. Only Pakistan’s major cities
B. Only Malala’s city of Mingora
C. Only Taliban-controlled areas
D. Pakistan and a detailed view of the Swat Valley
D. Pakistan and a detailed view of the Swat Valley
Why does the BBC want someone from Malala’s school to write a diary?
The BBC wants someone to describe what everyday life is like under Taliban rule so people outside the area can learn what is happening.
Why does Malala ask for her mother’s support before writing the diary?
Her mother’s support is extremely important to her. Malala believes that speaking without her support would feel like speaking with only half her heart.
The prefix post- means:
after
What does postpone mean?
Delay
To postpone something is to move it until a later time.
Why did Malala write about her experiences?
Malala writes so people can learn what life is like under Taliban rule and understand what is happening to girls and their education.
What words in this sentence should be capitalized?
after malala was shot, she was flown to a military hospital in peshawar and later transferred to another hospital in the uk.
After, Malala, Peshawar, and UK.
Proper place names and abbreviations must be capitalized.
Put these events in the correct order:
A. Malala begins writing as Gul Makai.
B. The Taliban announces girls cannot attend school.
C. Malala’s identity is accidentally revealed.
D. The BBC asks for someone to write a diary.
B → D → A → C
Malala is frightened by the danger around her but continues going to school.
What does this reveal about resilience?
Resilience does not necessarily mean having no fear.
It can mean continuing to act despite fear because something is important enough to keep fighting for.
Why is the word anonymous important to understanding Malala’s diary?
Her identity is initially hidden so she can write about the Taliban while reducing the danger of people discovering who she is.
How does Malala’s diary lead to a larger effect beyond her own life?
The diary allows people outside Swat to learn about the Taliban’s restrictions and violence.
Eventually, more reporters begin following what is happening to girls’ schools.
Match each cause with its effect.
Causes:
1. Malala writes a diary about life in Pakistan.
2. Malala’s father accidentally reveals her identity.
3. The Taliban says girls cannot attend school.
Effects:
A. Many girls stop attending school.
B. The world learns more about life under Taliban rule.
C. Malala becomes a target.
1 → B
2 → C
3 → A