©THEBRIGHTSTARS 2024
English - PERSEPOLIS Exam Questions
With Correct And Revised Answers
How do women respond to the veil? - answer✔✔They split into two factions, one for it and one
against it.
Why was a picture of Marjane's mother published in the newspaper? How did her mother
respond? Why? - answer✔✔She was protesting and not wearing the veil. A photographer
snapped a pic of her and published it, so she went home and dyed her hair and wore sunglasses.
Describe the symbolism and conflict represented in the picture on the top left of page 6. -
answer✔✔Science and modern life versus religious and a more natural, older way of life
How do others respond to Marji's religious calling? - answer✔✔They call her crazy
Who are Che Guevara, Fidel, and Trotsky? (Look them up!) Why are they important?' -
answer✔✔They are all revolutionaries and Communists. Che Guevara (Argentina and Cuba),
Fidel Castro (Cuba) and Trotsky (Russia/Soviet Union)
How does Marji's relationship with God begin to change? - answer✔✔She "hero worships" the
revolutionaries
What happens at the Rex Cinema? What does the Shah say? What do Marjane's parents know? -
answer✔✔Shah's soldiers padlocked people inside and set fire to the building
According to Marji, how was a king chosen? What was her rationale? - answer✔✔"He was
chosen by god"
At school & in the front page of her schoolbook P.19
Why did Marji's parents react to her statement about the Shah (hint: her family history)? -
answer✔✔Because her great grandpa was the emperor until he got kicked out by the Shah
What was Marji's grandfather's job under Reza? How did his beliefs change, and how did his life
change? - answer✔✔He was given the title prime minister. He began seeing the bad things that
happen under capitalism. He became a communist.
Why does God return after a long absence? - answer✔✔Because Marji had lost her faith &
wanted to follow someone. She needed advice.
, ©THEBRIGHTSTARS 2024
How did the new Shah's rule compare to his father's rule? - answer✔✔The Shah never kept his
promises. He spent lots of money on useless things to impress the heads of state of foreign
governments instead of spending it on his own people.
Describe the symbolism of the image at the top of page 28. - answer✔✔They are praying to the
block of stone at the grave of Cyrus the Great. He was one of their ancient rulers and a mighty
king. It is like they are disrespecting him by being on top of his grave. It symbolizes how their
actions seem great (praying) but really are not so good (disrespect the dead.)
What did Marji's father do every day that makes her mother so nervous? Why is this activity
strictly forbidden? - answer✔✔He goes against the law by taking pictures of the demonstrators.
It shows that many people hate their ruler the Shah.
What causes Marji to feel so ashamed? Why? - answer✔✔She feels guilty she is more well off
then others.
How does Marji view Mehri? How does Mehri view Marji? - answer✔✔They sort of act toward
each other as sisters and Mehri says Marji is her sister.
What did Marji do for six months to help Mehri? Why? - answer✔✔Helped her read & write
letters to the boy next door. He and Mehri were crushing on each other.
What is the outcome when the news of Mehri's clandestine affair reaches Marji's father? Why did
it end up that way? - answer✔✔Mehri's real sister finds out and gets jealous. Then that sister tells
others so it gets back to Marji's dad. He asks the neighbor boy if he wants to marry his maid, and
the boy does not want to marry someone from a lower social class.
What is Marji's reaction to the break-up? - answer✔✔She cries and tries to comfort Mehri. She
argues with her father because he is a hypocrite (he says he is for the equality of social classes
but does not act that way.)
What happened all day on Black Friday? Why? What painful lesson did Marji learn? -
answer✔✔1.Marji got slapped by her mother
2. there was a rumor that Israeli soldiers were killing protesters but it was really their own people
How does the Shah attempt to appease the people? Why did he fail? - answer✔✔He tried to start
a democracy
How had the U.S. changed its public policy toward Iran? - answer✔✔President Carter refused to
give the Shah exile in the U.S.
According to Marji's dad, why will the Middle East never have peace? What do you think? -
answer✔✔Because everyone wants their oil
English - PERSEPOLIS Exam Questions
With Correct And Revised Answers
How do women respond to the veil? - answer✔✔They split into two factions, one for it and one
against it.
Why was a picture of Marjane's mother published in the newspaper? How did her mother
respond? Why? - answer✔✔She was protesting and not wearing the veil. A photographer
snapped a pic of her and published it, so she went home and dyed her hair and wore sunglasses.
Describe the symbolism and conflict represented in the picture on the top left of page 6. -
answer✔✔Science and modern life versus religious and a more natural, older way of life
How do others respond to Marji's religious calling? - answer✔✔They call her crazy
Who are Che Guevara, Fidel, and Trotsky? (Look them up!) Why are they important?' -
answer✔✔They are all revolutionaries and Communists. Che Guevara (Argentina and Cuba),
Fidel Castro (Cuba) and Trotsky (Russia/Soviet Union)
How does Marji's relationship with God begin to change? - answer✔✔She "hero worships" the
revolutionaries
What happens at the Rex Cinema? What does the Shah say? What do Marjane's parents know? -
answer✔✔Shah's soldiers padlocked people inside and set fire to the building
According to Marji, how was a king chosen? What was her rationale? - answer✔✔"He was
chosen by god"
At school & in the front page of her schoolbook P.19
Why did Marji's parents react to her statement about the Shah (hint: her family history)? -
answer✔✔Because her great grandpa was the emperor until he got kicked out by the Shah
What was Marji's grandfather's job under Reza? How did his beliefs change, and how did his life
change? - answer✔✔He was given the title prime minister. He began seeing the bad things that
happen under capitalism. He became a communist.
Why does God return after a long absence? - answer✔✔Because Marji had lost her faith &
wanted to follow someone. She needed advice.
, ©THEBRIGHTSTARS 2024
How did the new Shah's rule compare to his father's rule? - answer✔✔The Shah never kept his
promises. He spent lots of money on useless things to impress the heads of state of foreign
governments instead of spending it on his own people.
Describe the symbolism of the image at the top of page 28. - answer✔✔They are praying to the
block of stone at the grave of Cyrus the Great. He was one of their ancient rulers and a mighty
king. It is like they are disrespecting him by being on top of his grave. It symbolizes how their
actions seem great (praying) but really are not so good (disrespect the dead.)
What did Marji's father do every day that makes her mother so nervous? Why is this activity
strictly forbidden? - answer✔✔He goes against the law by taking pictures of the demonstrators.
It shows that many people hate their ruler the Shah.
What causes Marji to feel so ashamed? Why? - answer✔✔She feels guilty she is more well off
then others.
How does Marji view Mehri? How does Mehri view Marji? - answer✔✔They sort of act toward
each other as sisters and Mehri says Marji is her sister.
What did Marji do for six months to help Mehri? Why? - answer✔✔Helped her read & write
letters to the boy next door. He and Mehri were crushing on each other.
What is the outcome when the news of Mehri's clandestine affair reaches Marji's father? Why did
it end up that way? - answer✔✔Mehri's real sister finds out and gets jealous. Then that sister tells
others so it gets back to Marji's dad. He asks the neighbor boy if he wants to marry his maid, and
the boy does not want to marry someone from a lower social class.
What is Marji's reaction to the break-up? - answer✔✔She cries and tries to comfort Mehri. She
argues with her father because he is a hypocrite (he says he is for the equality of social classes
but does not act that way.)
What happened all day on Black Friday? Why? What painful lesson did Marji learn? -
answer✔✔1.Marji got slapped by her mother
2. there was a rumor that Israeli soldiers were killing protesters but it was really their own people
How does the Shah attempt to appease the people? Why did he fail? - answer✔✔He tried to start
a democracy
How had the U.S. changed its public policy toward Iran? - answer✔✔President Carter refused to
give the Shah exile in the U.S.
According to Marji's dad, why will the Middle East never have peace? What do you think? -
answer✔✔Because everyone wants their oil
