I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban

Multiple Choice and Long Answer questions create ideal opportunities for whole-text review, unit exam, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. Malala’s father has a nickname for her, which is Jani Mun. What is the literal translation of this name?

A) “Girl daughter”

B) “Apple of my eye”

C) “Soulmate”

D) “Happy one”

2. Before Islam came to the Swat Valley in the 11th century CE, the people followed what religion?

A) Hinduism

B) Buddhism

C) Christianity

D) Taoism

3. The quality of perseverance is a Yousafzai trait, passed down from generation to generation. Which of the following is NOT an example of the family’s perseverance?

A) Malala’s father pursues Malala’s mother even after being rejected by her family.

B) Malala’s ancestors escaped slaughter and founded a new society in Swat Valley.

C) Malala’s mother scrapes together funds to create a sewing business, against all odds.

D) Malala’s father attends college, even though his own father (Malala’s grandfather) refuses to fund his tuition.

4. In Chapter 5, what toy belonging to Malala does Safina steal from her?

A) A fake cell phone

B) A small TV

C) A set of walkie talkies

D) A silver necklace

5. Which of the following is the best example of why Malala’s extended family views her as a “modern” girl?

A) Because Malala likes American music, particularly country music

B) Because Malala speaks English fluently

C) Because Malala wears eyeshadow, lip gloss, and other makeup

D) Because Malala refuses to wear a garment that covers her face

6. When a devastating earthquake strikes Pakistan in Chapter 8, US helicopters come to assist in national aid efforts. Why do these helicopters hide their American flag logos as they fly through?

A) Because, in an act of humility, the US helicopters did not want to take credit for their efforts.

B) Because the hot weather in Swat Valley made US troops need to paint their helicopters in heat-resistant white paint.

C) Because they needed to fly through Russian airspace without being identified.

D) Because, due to conflict between Afghanistan and the US, if they did not cover the logo they would be attacked.

7. When Maulana Fazlullah comes to Swat Valley, he tells people that their sinful behavior (listening to music, watching movies, and dancing) caused what natural disaster?

A) A flood

B)  An earthquake

C) A tornado

D) A tsunami

8. In Chapter 10, the Taliban begin using the girls of the Red Mosque madrasa to terrorize other women. Which of the following best describes the type of organization that the Red Mosque madrasa is?

A) A religious school for Muslim girls

B) A Taliban training camp

C) A manners training course

D) A sports center for Muslim girls

9. Malala explains to journalists that the Taliban is “abusing our religion” (Chapter 12). In Chapter 12, what is one example she provides of how they abuse it?

A) The Taliban says that Mohammed prayed only four times a day.

B) The Taliban used violence and force to get people to practice and believe in Islam.

C) The Taliban would burn copies of the Quran, occasionally.

D) The Taliban ousted traditional imams in favor of their own spiritual leadership.

10. In Chapter 13, why does Malala believe that, no matter what, the Taliban will not attack her?

A) Because she is a Yousafzai

B) Because she is a devout Muslim

C) Because she is a child

D) Because she is too cunning

11. When Sufi Mohammed comes to Swat Valley in Chapter 14, who is he and what is his chief objective?

A) He is a militant leader who brings a tense peace in Swat Valley.

B) He is an educator who aims to assist Malala in her quest.

C) He is a religious zealot who challenges Fazlullah to a duel.

D) He is a doctor who seeks to heal the wounded as best he can.

12. When Malala and her family leave Swat Valley in a mass exodus in Chapter 15, her father compares it to what historical event?

A) The Greeks leaving Athens when the Persian army attacked

B) The Israelites leaving Egypt

C) The Eastern Europeans fleeing the Mongols

D) North Africans escaping the Black Death

13. In Chapter 17, Malala finds out that she has been nominated for an international peace prize sponsored by what organization?

A) The United Nations

B) The Anti-Defamation League

C) Amnesty International

D) Kids Rights

14. Malala’s anecdote about her aunt and the sea, told at the beginning of Chapter 18, contributes most to what theme/motif in the book?

A) The Power of Words

B) Knowledge Versus Ignorance

C) Oppression, particularly of women and girls

D) Individual Versus Society

15. Although the hospital in Birmingham fears the media frenzy, they allow Malala to receive an extra-special visitor while she is recovering. Who is the visitor?

A) Barack Obama, the president of the US

B) Fatima Bhutto, niece of Benazir Bhutto

C) Asif Ali Zardari, the president of Pakistan

D) Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor, the Queen of England

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating text details to support your response.

1. When Fazlullah comes to Swat Valley, Malala notices the incongruity between his words and the real words of the Quran. What is an example of some of the discrepancies that she notices?

2. In the final chapters of the book, how is the Power of Words tested? Cite evidence from the text where words seem to inspire, manipulate, or both.