The Breadwinner
What is Parvana's biggest concern about pretending to be a boy?
She is afraid she will be recognized.
What two things make up a story's setting?
Time and place.
What part of the plot introduces the characters, setting, and basic situation?
Exposition.
What two things do readers combine to make an inference?
Text evidence + background knowledge/reasoning.
What is the main problem a character faces called?
Conflict.
Parvana's haircut symbolizes what major change in her life?
Her new responsibilities.
Complete the statement: Setting affects plot because…
The time and place can create problems, opportunities, and limitations that affect what characters can do and what events occur.
What do we call the events that build tension and develop the conflict?
Rising action.
True or False: An inference must be directly stated in the text.
False.
Which word best describes Parvana living under Taliban rule: comfortable, invisible, carefree, or powerful?
Invisible and/or Scared
Why does Mother ask Parvana if she wants to watch while her hair is being cut?
To help Parvana accept the change.
How does living under Taliban rule affect Parvana's actions?
The restrictions placed on women and girls force Parvana to disguise herself as a boy so she can go outside and help her family.
What is the turning point or moment of greatest tension called?
Climax
Parvana thinks about whether to cooperate and realizes that ultimately the choice is hers. What can you infer?
Having some control over the decision makes her more willing to accept it.
Why is text evidence important when making an inference?
It provides support showing that the inference is reasonable and based on the text.
What can we infer when Mother eventually accepts Parvana taking on the role of a boy?
Mother understands that Parvana's new role is necessary to help the family survive.
If Parvana lived in a setting where girls could freely go to stores and work, how would the plot change?
She would not need to disguise herself as a boy to help her family, removing a major conflict from the plot.
Put these in order: resolution, climax, exposition, falling action, rising action.
Exposition → Rising Action → Climax → Falling Action → Resolution.
Mother carefully considers Parvana's feelings while cutting her hair. What can you infer about Mother?
She cares about how Parvana feels even though the haircut is necessary.
A storm traps a character inside a cabin, preventing her from getting help. What story element caused this plot event?
Setting.
How do Parvana's feelings change after her first successful trip to the store?
She becomes more confident and proud because she realizes she can successfully pretend to be a boy and help her family. This matches the change emphasized in the test's constructed-response item.
Explain the chain reaction: Setting → Conflict → Character Action → Plot Event in The Breadwinner.
Taliban-controlled Afghanistan → restrictions prevent Parvana's family from freely completing necessary tasks → Parvana disguises herself as a boy → she is able to go into public and get necessities for her family.
A character faces several increasingly difficult problems before finally making the decision that changes everything. Which two plot-map sections are being described?
Rising action and climax.
After successfully returning from the store, Parvana eagerly tells her family what happened and agrees to continue living as a boy. What can you infer about her?
Her success has increased her confidence and willingness to accept her new responsibilities.
Explain the difference between climax and resolution.
The climax is the major turning point/highest point of tension; the resolution shows how the conflict ends and wraps up the story.