Grade 8 English
Novel Study
Name: ________________
About the Author
Deborah Ellis was born and raised in Ontario, Canada, and since the age of seventeen
she has been a political activist, advocating nonviolence, women’s rights, and economic
justice. She currently works in Toronto as a mental health counselor. Before writing The
Breadwinner, Ellis spent several months in Afghan refugee camps, interviewing women
and girls to document their lives. Her experiences inspired her to write The
Breadwinner and two other books in the trilogy: Parvana’s Journey and Shauzia. All
the royalties from The Breadwinner are being donated to the education of Afghan girls
in the refugee camps in Pakistan.
The Breadwinner:
A STUDY GUIDE
How to use the study guide:
 Read the questions for each chapter BEFORE you read.
 Look for the answers as you read making sure to highlight the passages in the
novel that assist you in answering the study guide questions (highlight by using
bookmarks or writing down the page number in your study guide, not by
highlighting the actual page!)
 Put sticky notes in your text marking the pages with quotations noted in the
study guide.
 Respond to the study guide questions in COMPLETE SENTENCES. You should
write at least two-three thoughtful sentences for each question.
 Put time and creativity into the “Activities” section of the novel study guide.
Scavenger Hunt
The goal of the scavenger hunt is to become familiar with the novel’s parts and
built-in resources. Using only your book, answer each of the questions below:
1. What will happen to all of the royalties (percentage of sales profits paid to the
author) of this book? To what purpose?
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2. In what year was this book written?
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3. In what country is this novel set?
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4. Name three countries that border on the country that is the answer to #3 above.
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5. In what year did the Soviet Union invade the country that is the answer to #3?
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6. What is the Taliban?
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7. What is a burqa?
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8. Who is this novel dedicated to, and why do you think that is the case?
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hijab
chador
burqa
CHAPTER ONE
Vocabulary
Match the vocabulary word with its definition, synonym or explanation underneath.
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
chador
labyrinth
forbade
decreed
burqas
___ an authoritative order having the force of law
___ a maze
___ a piece of cloth worn by women and girls to cover their head and shoulders.
___ banned, prohibited
___ a long garment which covers women completely and has a narrow mesh screen
over the eyes.
Short Answer Questions
1. How does Parvana initially feel about not being able to go to school? What does
Nooria understand about this situation that Parvana does not?
2. Describe the restrictions the Taliban place on the people of Kabul.
3. Compare and contrast the life that Parvana lives compared to the one you live here
in Canada.
Activities
1. Using the SMARTboard and internet, research information about the history of
Afghanistan and the Taliban. On a blank sheet of paper create a mind map with
information, stories, and interesting facts that you learn from your research.
2. Research on the SMARTboard and internet where Afghanistan is located. Create
a map for your own keeping that shows the country and its bordering countries.
CHAPTER TWO
Vocabulary
Match the vocabulary word with its definition, synonym or explanation underneath.
1) toshak
2) looters
3) lingered
4) nan
5) rouse
___ Afghan bread – flat, sometimes long and sometimes round
___ robber
___ stir
___ a narrow mattress used in many Afghan homes instead of mattresses or beds
___ stay behind, hang back
Short Answer Questions
1. Explain the mixed emotions Parvana feels about carrying water for her family.
Then make a text-to-self connection.
2. “’How can we be brave?’ Nooria asked. ‘We can’t even go outside.’
‘There are many types of battles,’ Father said quietly.’” (29) What do you think
Father means in the above quotes.
3. Why do you believe the Taliban took Parvana’s father away?
Activities
1. Parvana’s life: Pretend you are Parvana. You wake up one morning and are
going to accompany your father to the market. Does Parvana have the luxury of
taking a shower? Does she get to choose what she wears? Describe how you feel
when you are putting on your head garments and getting ready to go. Do you
have a lot of choices about what you eat in the morning? What is it like for your
whole family to live in one room? Is it crowded? Once you are at the market, how
do you feel? How do you react when you see the Taliban soldiers on the street?
Your life: Now write a paragraph or two describing your experience. What do
you typically wear when you wake up in the morning on a school day? Do you get
to decide what you have for breakfast? Do you have options? Is your family all
living in one room? Do you have a choice about what to wear when you are
accompanying your guardian to the store? How do you feel when you see the
police on the street? Do you have to dress a certain way in order to be safe? Does
an institution or school tell you how to dress and how does that feel?
Last Paragraph: Describe the similarities and differences in Parvana’s and your
experience in getting ready for the day in the morning.
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CHAPTER THREE
Vocabulary
Match the vocabulary word with its definition, synonym or explanation underneath.
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
distinguish
hesitated
regulation
militia
hobbled
___ think twice, indecisive
___ armed group
___ limp
___ tell apart
___ rule, directive
Short Answer Questions
1.
List the ways the Taliban restricts the movement, dress and
behavior of women and girls as noted in the novel thus far.
2.
“Helping Mother down the broken stairs was a little like helping
Father, as the billowing burqa made it hard for her to see where she was going.”
(39) What does this passage imply about the impact of a burqa on the movement
and daily activity of a woman? Why would the Taliban desire such an impact?
Activities
1. Using the SMARTboard and the internet, research why Canada has troops in
Afghanistan. Find a story or news article about Canada’s impact and then write a
half-page report about it. You may also want to check out this website for
information about Canada’s role in Afghanistan:
http://www.afghanistan.gc.ca/canada-afghanistan/newsnouvelles/2009/2009_04_04.aspx
CHAPTER FOUR
Short Answer Questions
1. “’If we had left Afghanistan when we had the chance, I could be doing my work!’
‘We are Afghans. This is our home. If all the educated people leave, who will
rebuild the country?’” (45) Parvana says this is an argument her parents
frequently have. Explain her mother’s side of the argument and her father’s side
of the argument. Why is it such a difficult position to be in? If your parents had
these differing points of view, with whom would you side and why?
2. “Now I’ve got her, Parvana thought. I can make her as miserable as she makes
me. But she was surprised to find that this thought gave her no pleasure. Maybe
she was too tired and too hungry. Instead of turning her back, she took the
money from her sister’s hand (53). This quotation points to the ongoing conflict
between the sisters. Explain why Parvana initially thinks she will be able to make
Nooria miserable and why you believe that thought does not give Parvana any
pleasure.
Activities
1. Fill out the attribute web on the next page. Choose any character from the story.
Attribute Web
The attribute web below is designed to help you gather clues the author provides about
what a character is like. Fill in the blanks with words and phrases which tell how the
character acts and looks, as well as what the character says and what others say about
him or her.
Acts
Feels
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2. ____________________
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Characte
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Looks
Says
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CHAPTER FIVE
Short Answer Questions
1. Parvana begins to change once her father has been put in prison. Characterize the
change that begins to occur in Parvana. What does she do that shows this change
and explain why she is changing.
2. Who is Mrs. Weera and why is her visit to Parvana’s family so important? Then
make a text-to-self connection; who has helped you in the past?
Activities
1. In these 2 chapters, Parvana is forced to take actions to help her family. She has
to once again go out and get food and water. After all that work, she is so
exhausted she wants a drink of water. Her sister states (page 61):
“Nooria snatched it from her hands. ‘You are the stupidest girl! All we need now
is for you to get sick! How could anyone so stupid end up as my sister!’
‘That’s no way to keep up team spirit,’ Mrs. Weera said.”
Write about a time that you have had to do something for your family that you
did not want to do. Why did you not want to do it? What was the outcome? How
did you feel in the end? If you cannot come up with something write about
something you did want to do and that made you proud.
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CHAPTER SIX
Short Answer Questions
1. When Parvana goes out in the street dressed as a boy she feels different. Explain
the difference in her feelings and why this is so.
2. The important characters in The Breadwinner are…(list five and a brief
description of each)
a. ______________________________________________
b. ______________________________________________
c. ______________________________________________
d. ______________________________________________
e. ______________________________________________
Activities
1. If you could offer Parvana words of advice, what quote would you choose and
why?
2. What is a pakul? Do some extra research using the SMARTboard to help.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Short Answer Questions
1. Parvana reads a letter for a Talib. What is surprising about his reaction to the
letter? Why?
Activities
1. What is a shalwar kameez ? Do some research so you can get a visual and then
sketch a picture of it.
2. Fill in the ways that Afghanistan and Canada differ on the next page.
Education
Afghanistan
Marriage
Rules for
Females
Clothing
Canada
CHAPTER EIGHT
Short Answer Questions
1. What excellent idea does Parvana have regarding her freedom as a boy and how
she can help her mother and sister? Why do you think Nooria might object to the
idea?
2. What does Parvana discover about the blacked-out window? Make a prediction
about what might happen later in the novel in relation to the window.
Activities
1. Write a simulated journal entry, pretending you are Parvana. How did it feel to
think you saw your father from across the market? Write a few paragraphs about
what that experience was like. How do you cope? How do you make yourself feel
better?
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CHAPTER NINE
Short Answer Questions
1. Describe the conditions of Shauzia’s life (family, work, home). Why might it be
helpful to Parvana to know about the difficulties of another girl her age? Then
make a text-to-self connection.
Activities
1. Using the SMARTboard, research other stories or places in the world where
women and women’s rights are oppressed. Write an expository paragraph (topic
sentence, descriptive sentences with examples, and a conclusion sentence) about
the story. You may want to share your ideas in your next discussion.
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CHAPTER TEN
Short Answer Questions
1. What do the girls decide to do to make more money? Why do you think Parvana
has trouble morally with the idea of this money-making scheme? Then make a
text-to-faith connection.
Activities
1. Write a letter to an “organization” seeking financial assistance. Explain why a
grant should be awarded to help support women in Afghanistan. Use the
SMARTboard to research how to write and address a proper letter.
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CHAPTER ELEVEN
Short Answer Questions
1. Why does Parvana cry when she returns from the graveyard? Is she being
immature?
2. Why does Parvana feel that arguing with Nooria just doesn’t make sense
anymore?
Activities
1. In some cultures, people who were considered thieves were punished by having
their hands cut off. What do you think of this law? Do you think less people
would steal if this were the consequence? Write an editorial (an editorial is a
newspaper opinion piece.) describing your thoughts and opinions. Research
editorials on the SMARTboard to determine what features are typically part of
them.
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CHAPTER TWELVE
Short Answer Questions
1. Mother’s reaction to the events at the soccer stadium are “What century are we
living in?” (123). What does she mean when she says this?
2. “No one said anything to Parvana when the bread ran out, but she got up and
went to work that day anyway. Some things just had to be done” (124). What
does this passage reveal about Parvana, especially in comparison to her behavior
at the beginning of the novel? Lastly, make a text-to-self connection.
3. Shauzia tells Parvana she has a plan to leave. Parvana wonders how she can leave
her family. What do both girls struggle with at the prospect of fleeing
Afghanistan? Why does Shauzia feel like a bad person?
4. Parvana’s sense of what is “normal” has changed. Explain this change.
5. Explain how Nooria and Mrs. Weera starting the school for girls is a form of
resistance against the Taliban.
Activities
1. How big is Parvana's home? Measure out the size of Parvana's home in Kadahar.
Now add all the people in her family. Lie down and see how much room is used
for sleeping. How does this compare to your home? (Do this with your discussion
group members)
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Short Answer Questions
1. Parvana refuses to go to Mazar for the wedding yet she sulks when her mother
decides not to take Parvana with her. Explain why Parvana might feel such
mixed emotions. Have you ever felt similarly?
2. As Nooria leaves, Parvana teases her. A change in their relationship is evident.
Explain how things used to be and how they are now as the two sisters
anticipate being separated. Why do you believe this change has come about?
Activities
1. Compare Parvana’s current lifestyle with your current lifestyle using the chart
on the following page.
You
Parvana
Daily Activities
Education
Surroundings
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CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Short Answer Questions
1. Why does Parvana think of herself as “Malali leading the troops through enemy
territory?” (148).
2. How does Parvana respond to this news? Why do you think she deals with the
situation this way?
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Short Answer Questions
1. Why do you think Parvana plants flowers in the spot where she usually sells in
the marketplace?
2. The flowers draw the attention of many people. What might the flowers be a
symbol of in the novel?
Activities
1. Write a scene about Parvana and Shauzia meeting at the Eiffel Tower in twenty
years. What has changed in the world since they last met? What has happened to
the two of them? The scene should be about 1-2 pages in length. Keep this in your
novel study guide.
2. Make a chart of a blank sheet of paper answering all of the following points:
a. saddest part
b. most exciting part
c. most beautiful words
d. most interesting part
e. best-liked character and why