Literary
Devices
Critical Thinking Questions
Chapter Questions
Part One
Chapter Questions
Part Two
Character
Questions
100
What is "theme"? What is the theme of Bifocal?
Theme is the message about life in a story. In Bifocal, one theme is that we should not believe things based on our prejudices and stereotypes, without proof.
100
Why is Bifocal written from two different points of view?
To show the reader different sides of the same story.
100
Who is arrested at the end of the first chapter?
Azeem and Haroon, but Haroon is let go.
100
Which character is new to Central High School at the beginning of the book?
Jay.
100
Who are the two narrators of Bifocal?
Jay and Haroon.
200
What is irony?
When something is the opposite of what you expected.
200
Why is Ms. Singh an important character in this story?
Haroon admires Ms. Singh, and learns from her that it is bad to judge people based on rumours and assumptions.
200
Name three of the social groups that the cafeteria of Central High School is divided into.
Brown Town, Cafrica, preppy girls, football players
200
Give two adjectives to describe Jay. Explain why.
Follower, thoughtful, racist, passive, loyal...
200
Who is Julian?
Julian is Haroon's best friend.
300
What is imagery? Give an example.
Imagery uses some or all of the five senses in its description. Ex. The sweet smell of the grass.
300
What is one reason that is Kevin so racist against Muslims?
Kevin does not like that the Muslim kids are different, and have different values and traditions. He thinks they should accept his lead in the school and follow him.
300
What is Brown Town?
A section of the school where all the brown kids hang out.
300
Why can't Haroon's uncle meet them for Eid?
He is placed on the no-fly list, and cannot come into the country.
300
Why is Jay friends with Kevin?
Jay likes that Kevin is a leader. Kevin's friendship with Jay has helped Jay make friends at his new school and become a captain in training of the football team.
400
What is an oxymoron? Give an example.
Where two opposite words are used in the description of something. Ex. Loud silence.
400
Why is "Sand Monkey" an insult?
It compares people to animals, and makes fun of where they come from.
400
What makes Haroon realize that it was not Hadi who vandalized his family's house?
The racist spray paint.
400
Why does Jay choose not to tell the principal who vandalized the houses on Halloween?
He is scared to get in trouble, and does not want to betray his friends.
400
Why does Zana decide to wear the abaya?
Zana wants everyone to know she is Muslim. She wants to challenge the racism she is experiencing in the world around her. She wants to challenge stereotypes.
500
What is the difference between a metaphor and hyperbole?
A metaphor involves a comparison.
500
Zana's mother forbids Zana from wearing the abaya because she is a feminist. Why is this a contradiction?
Zana and her mother are feminists, which means they believe women should have the right to wear what they want. Zana should be allowed to wear the abaya if she wants.
500
Who does Haroon play soccer with at the end of Chapter 25? Why is this important?
Haroon plays soccer with Zana, her friends who wear abayas, Julian, and a group of other students. This is important because Haroon starts to feel like he knows Zana again, even in abaya.
500
Why does Jay decide to sit in the middle of the cafeteria with Haroon?
Jay is rebelling against Kevin's control, and trying to show that you can be friends with people outside of your race or religion group.
500
List three adjectives to describe Hadi. Explain why.
Angry; Bold; Rude; Critical
M
e
n
u