Question

persepolis - reading comprehension
chapters: \the key,\ \the wine,\ \the cigarette\
multiple choice

1. in \the key,\ what is the purpose of the plastic keys given to the boys?

a. to identify them as soldiers
b. to grant them special privileges
c. to symbolize entry into heaven after death
d. to show their loyalty to iran

1. which boys are most often sent to the front lines in \the key\?

a. sons of government officials
b. boys from wealthy families
c. boys chosen for bravery
d. boys from poor families

1. in \the wine,\ why is marjis family at risk during the party?

a. music is forbidden
b. men and women are together
c. alcohol is illegal
d. guests arrive too late

1. how does marjis grandmother get rid of the wine during the inspection in \the wine\?

a. she hides it in the basement
b. she pours it into the toilet
c. she throws it out the window
d. she gives it to a neighbor

1. in \the cigarette,\ what event causes marji to get in trouble from her mother?

a. her argument with her parents
b. her experience at school
c. the bombing of her neighborhood
d. cutting her class

1. at the end of \the cigarette,\ marji believes that smoking a cigarette means she has

a. become rebellious
b. finally fit in with the cool kids
c. entered adulthood
d. made a serious mistake

Explanation:

1. In Persepolis' "The Key", the plastic keys are told to boys they will let them enter heaven if they die in battle.
2. In "The Key", poor boys are the ones most frequently sent to the front lines, as they have fewer resources to avoid conscription.
3. In "The Wine", alcohol is illegal under Iran's Islamic laws, so having it at a party puts Marji's family at risk.
4. During the inspection in "The Wine", Marji's grandmother pours the wine down the toilet to dispose of it quickly.
5. In "The Cigarette", Marji gets in trouble with her mother after cutting her class.
6. At the end of "The Cigarette", Marji smokes a cigarette and sees it as a marker that she has become an adult.

Answer:

1. C. To symbolize entry into heaven after death
2. D. Boys from poor families
3. C. Alcohol is illegal
4. B. She pours it into the toilet
5. D. Cutting her class
6. C. Entered adulthood