Afghanistan Cultural Vocabulary Quiz

Questions and Answers

What is a burqa?

A long, tent-like garment worn by women that covers the entire body and has a narrow mesh screen over the eyes.

What is a chador?

A piece of cloth worn by women and girls to cover their hair and shoulders.

What is Dari?

One of two main languages in Afghanistan.

What is a karachi?

A cart on wheels, pushed by hand, used to sell things in the market. Signup and view all the answers

What is kebab?

Pieces of meat on a skewer, cooked over a fire. Signup and view all the answers

What is a landmine?

A bomb planted in the ground, which explodes if it is stepped on. Signup and view all the answers

What is nan?

Afghan bread; flat, sometimes long and sometimes round. Signup and view all the answers

What is Pashtu?

One of the two main languages in Afghanistan. Signup and view all the answers

What is shalwar kameez?

A long, loose shirt and trousers, worn by both men and women. Signup and view all the answers

Who were the Soviets?

The Soviet Union before its break-up, including Russia and other Communist countries. Signup and view all the answers

Who are the Taliban?

A fundamentalist Muslim movement that took control of much of Afghanistan. Signup and view all the answers

What is toshak?

A narrow mattress used in many Afghan homes instead of chairs or beds. Signup and view all the answers

How did the Taliban rule change the lives of women in Afghanistan?

Women were not allowed outside without a male escort and had to be covered by a burqa. They could not shop inside stores or attend school. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Parvana have to help her father walk to the market?

Father had lost his leg in a bombing and was unwell since. Signup and view all the answers

Why did father sell his false leg?

Father sold it because a man at the market demanded to buy it for a price he couldn't refuse. Signup and view all the answers

Why were there so many false legs being sold at the market?

Men were selling the false legs of their wives to make money since the wives couldn't go outside. Signup and view all the answers

What two languages are spoken in Afghanistan?

Dari and Pashtu. Signup and view all the answers

Why were Parvana's parents able to speak Dari, Pashtu, and English?

Both parents received education at universities, with Father studying in England. Signup and view all the answers

What was Parvana's favorite subject and why?

History, because she was good at it due to the stories her father told her. Signup and view all the answers

Why was the mountain named Mt. Parvana?

Father chose the name Mt. Parvana as he believed you could name it anything you wanted. Signup and view all the answers

What was Mother's former occupation?

Writer at the Kabul radio station. Signup and view all the answers

What was Father's former occupation?

History teacher. Signup and view all the answers

What was Ms. Weera's former occupation?

Physical education teacher. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Hossain?

Parvana's oldest brother who was killed by a landmine at the age of 14. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Father tell Parvana not to talk to their neighbors?

Because the Taliban encouraged neighbors to spy on each other. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Father grow a beard?

The Taliban ordered all men to grow a beard. Signup and view all the answers

What did Father mean by 'Afghanistan has always been the home of the bravest women in the world'?

He referenced a story of a small girl who bravely rallied the Afghans in battle, suggesting that bravery is an inherited trait. Signup and view all the answers

Why was Father taken to jail?

The Taliban learned he received his education from England. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Vocabulary

Burqa: Tent-like garment for women covering the body with a mesh screen for the eyes.
Chador: Cloth worn by women and girls to cover their hair and shoulders.
Dari: One of the two primary languages spoken in Afghanistan.
Karachi: Hand-pushed cart used for selling goods in markets.
Kebab: Meat pieces skewered and cooked over fire.
Landmine: Underground bomb that detonates upon being stepped on.
Nan: Afghan bread, which can be flat, long, or round.
Pashtu: The second primary language in Afghanistan.
Shalwar Kameez: Traditional attire consisting of a long loose shirt and trousers for both genders.
Soviets: Refers to the Soviet Union, including Russia and other Communist nations prior to its dissolution.
Taliban: Fundamentalist Muslim movement that controlled Afghanistan, imposing strict interpretations of Islamic law.
Toshak: Narrow mattress used for seating or sleeping in Afghan homes.

Impact of Taliban Rule on Women

Women required a male escort to go outside and had to wear burqas.
Shopping was restricted; women shouted their orders from outside stores.
Educational opportunities for girls ceased; Parvana could not continue 6th grade, Nooria had to drop out of high school.
Mother's career as a writer ended due to restrictions on her mobility.

Parvana's Family Background

Father's Condition: Lost a leg in a bombing, which impaired his health.
Selling the False Leg: Father sold his prosthetic limb at the market due to desperate circumstances despite not wanting to.
Market Conditions: Many men sold false legs belonging to wives who were no longer allowed to go outside.

Languages and Education

Languages Spoken: Dari and Pashtu are the two main languages of Afghanistan.
Parents' Education: Both parents educated, with father having studied in England.

Personal Interests and Family Stories

Parvana's Favorite Subject: History, influenced by her father's storytelling.
Mountain Naming: Parvana's father chose to name a mountain after her, reflecting personal significance.

Family Dynamics

Mother's Former Job: Writer for Kabul radio station before the Taliban rule.
Father's Former Job: History teacher prior to being restricted by the Taliban.
Ms. Weera: Former physical education teacher.

Family Tragedy

Hossain: Parvana's oldest brother killed by a landmine at age 14; stories about him were shared by Nooria.

Encouragement of Spying: Father warned Parvana against communicating with neighbors due to Taliban's encouragement of surveillance.
Beard Requirement: Men were mandated to grow beards under the Taliban regime.

Cultural Heritage and Bravery

Father highlighted Afghanistan's history of courageous women through the story of Malali, emphasizing hereditary bravery in their family.

Father's Arrest

Imprisonment Reason: Father was jailed for his education in England, considered dangerous by the Taliban.

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Description

Test your knowledge of key vocabulary related to Afghan culture and society. This quiz covers important terms ranging from traditional clothing to language and socio-political history.