context clues
Vocabulary
Why questions
How questions
Characters
100

Those clothes have been idle long enough. It’s time they were put to use.

What does the word IDLE mean?

Unwashed.      Not being used.        brand new

Not being used.

100


Parvana felt relieved when she safely returned home.
What does relieved mean?

A. Angry
B. Calm after worry
C. Embarrassed
D. Confused

Calm after worry

100
  1. Why does Parvana cut her hair and dress like a boy?

A. She wants to pretend for fun
B. Girls are not allowed to leave home alone
C. Her father asks her to
D. She wants to impress others

Girls are not allowed to leave home alone

100

How does Parvana help her family after her father is taken away?

A. She stays home and waits
B. She sells goods and earns money
C. She travels to another city
D. She asks soldiers for help

She sells goods and earns money

100

Who is the main character of The Breadwinner?

A. Shauzia
B. Parvana
C. Nooria
D. Mother

Parvana

200

In the paragraph, "Parvana realized Mrs. Weera was right. They could hold her down and cut off her hair, but for anything more, they needed her cooperation. In the end, it really was her decision."

What does the word Cooperation mean?

to work alone.      not helpful         to work as a team

to work as a team

200

Parvana lived in constant fear of being discovered.
What does constant most nearly mean?

A. Occasional
B. Never-ending
C. Sudden
D. Quiet

Never-ending

200

Why is Parvana’s father taken away?

A. He breaks a law by teaching
B. He refuses to work
C. He leaves the city
D. He argues with Parvana

He breaks a law by teaching

200

How does Shauzia help Parvana?

A. By giving her money
B. By helping her read
C. By offering friendship and support
D. By protecting her from soldiers

By offering friendship and support

200
  1. Who helps Parvana by becoming her friend at the market?

A. Nooria
B. Parvana’s mother
C. Shauzia
D. The tea seller

Shauzia

300

Parvana had to disguise herself as a boy so she could work and support her family.
What does disguise most nearly mean?

A. To explain clearly
B. To change how someone looks
C. To travel to a new place
D. To argue with others

To change how someone looks

300

The soldiers were strict about enforcing the rules.
What does strict mean in this sentence?

A. Careless
B. Fair
C. Very firm and controlling
D. Confused

Very firm and controlling

300

Why is education important in The Breadwinner?

A. It allows children to leave their families
B. It gives people power and hope
C. It makes life easier immediately
D. It is required by law

It gives people power and hope

300

How does life change for Parvana’s family after her father is arrested?

A. They become wealthier
B. They no longer need food
C. They struggle to survive
D. They move to a new country

They struggle to survive

300

Who is taken away by the Taliban at the beginning of the story?

A. Parvana’s brother
B. Parvana’s mother
C. Parvana’s father
D. Parvana’s teacher

Parvana’s father

400

The Taliban enforced strict rules that controlled how people lived.
What does enforced most nearly mean?

A. Ignored
B. Remembered
C. Made sure rules were followed
D. Questioned

Made sure the rules were followed

400

Parvana showed great resourcefulness when she found ways to earn money.
What does resourcefulness mean?

A. Being lucky
B. Using what you have to solve problems
C. Asking others to help
D. Giving up easily

Using what you have to solve problems

400

Why does Parvana continue working even when she feels afraid?

A. She enjoys the danger
B. Her family depends on her
C. She wants to disobey the rules
D. She is forced by strangers

Her family depends on her

400

How does Parvana’s role in her family change over time?

A. She becomes less responsible
B. She depends on others more
C. She becomes the main provider
D. She stops helping at home

She becomes the main provider

400

Who depends on Parvana to help provide food and money?

A. Only Shauzia
B. Her family
C. The soldiers
D. The vendors

Her family

500

The market was filled with vendors selling food and supplies.
What is a vendor?

A. A customer
B. A soldier
C. A person who sells things
D. A family member

A person who sells things

500

The family depended on Parvana for their survival.
What does survival most nearly mean?

A. Comfort
B. Education
C. Staying alive
D. Entertainment

Staying alive

500

Why is Parvana’s decision to work an example of courage?

A. She knows she will not fail
B. She chooses to help her family despite danger
C. She is not afraid of the Taliban
D. She wants to prove she is better than others

She chooses to help her family despite danger

500

How do the rules under the Taliban affect Parvana’s identity?

A. They help her become more confident
B. They force her to hide who she really is
C. They give her more freedom
D. They do not change her at all

They force her to hide who she really is

500

Who makes the decision for Parvana to disguise herself as a boy?

A. Parvana’s father
B. Parvana’s mother
C. Parvana alone
D. The Taliban

Parvana’s mother

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