A Very Large Expanse of Sea

1. Why does Shirin end up in the principal’s office on her first day at her new school?

A) She is reporting the math teacher for lecturing about people disloyal to America.

B) She was caught hiding in the restroom instead of going to the cafeteria at lunch.

C) She told the English teacher plainly that she belongs in his Honors class.

D) She wants to change her schedule to include AP Bio and needs the principal’s approval.

2. Which of these statements most accurately explains Shirin’s philosophy on making friends?

A) She will pinpoint one or two potential peers who prove kind, but she mistrusts everyone else.

B) She doesn’t care to make friends, as it is too hard—even painful—since she moves so frequently.

C) She waits for Navid to introduce her to his friends, and they always turn out to be enough for social activities.

D) She prefers to keep long-distance friendships alive with those she knew in previous locations.

3. Which of these events occurs in the real time of the narrative (as opposed to the backstory)?

A) Shirin helps to teach Navid strategies for coping with his dyslexia.

B) Shirin’s father teaches her how to sew, which sparks an interest in fashion.

C) Shirin is harassed by two young men who pull her scarf from her head.

D) Shirin learns a Crazy Commando move to add to her six-step routine.

4. Which of these details helps to establish the time period of the novel in the early 2000s?

A) feline dissection

B) a homemade computer

C) AIM and 9/11

D) breakdancing

5. Which phrase best characterizes Shirin’s father, based on details revealed in the narrative?

A) curious and impassioned learner

B) agile and avid athlete

C) hopeful and prayerful peace lover

D) talkative and well-educated philosopher

6. Based on her tone as well as details in her narrative, which of these descriptions best explains Shirin’s demeanor toward breakdancing in the early chapters?

A) obligated to learn it for Navid’s sake

B) fascinated and enamored by it

C) curious to learn its origins

D) mildly interested in it

For each of the following questions, write a one-sentence response based on details in the story.

7. How does Shirin manage to hide her earbuds all day as she plays music at school?

8. What condition must Navid satisfy in order to register the new breakdancing crew as a school club? 

9. What prompts Shirin to walk out of Global Perspectives?

A) The topic, Middle Eastern conflict, makes her uncomfortable.

B) The teacher requires her to participate in an awkward class activity.

C) She realizes for the first time that Ocean is in the class.

D) One of her new group members treats her as if she is not there.

10. Which of these statements accurately characterizes the IHOP get-together after Ocean admits he thinks Shirin is beautiful?

A) They do not discuss anything important over pancakes.

B) He is embarrassed and leaves minutes later.

C) Shirin insists they return to school immediately.

D) They decide they should try a more formal date.

11. Based on Shirin’s internal and external reactions when Ocean suggests coming to dinner at her house, which of these options best explains how she most likely feels?

A) offended and upset

B) nervous and apprehensive

C) flattered and charmed

D) confused and disbelieving

12. Considering what Shirin relates about her parents’ disciplinary habits, about which of these scenarios would they most worry?

A) Navid taking a girl on a date

B) Navid bringing Shirin to a battle

C) Shirin going out with friends

D) Navid driving somewhere solo

13. What does Shirin like best about the breakdance battle?

A) the music and energy in the performance space

B) having a night away from her parents

C) the focus on talent instead of appearance

D) being seen with Carlos, Bijan, and Jacobi

14. Which phrase best characterizes Shirin’s mother, based on the details Shirin reveals?

A) traditional and technological

B) free-spirited and fun-loving

C) quiet and somber

D) passive and relaxed

For each of the following questions, write a one-sentence response based on details in the story.

15. How did Shirin feel about the village school near the Caspian Sea, and why did she feel that way?

16. What does Shirin like about wearing her hijab?

17. How and where does Shirin meet Yusef?

18. Who reveals to Shirin that she comes off as “scary” and “mean”? 

19. What are two reasons Shirin gives Ocean on their first phone call to explain why she never had a boyfriend?

A) She does not want to get hurt, and she knows Navid would threaten the guy.

B) She realizes her parents would disapprove, and her family relocates all the time.

C) She does not trust guys in general, and she prefers to be alone.

D) She feels too awkward making conversation, and her parents forbid her to have a relationship.

20. How does Shirin feel when Mr. Jordan initially offers her a rationale for rejoining the class?

A) She thinks others’ prejudices are not hers to reveal or fix.

B) She is flattered but has already become interested in another class.

C) She is penitent and realizes that leaving the class was premature.

D) She hopes he is joking since his reason is as insulting as the Travis incident.

21. When Shirin promises to keep Bijan’s secret, what is the most likely reason Bijan tells her she makes no sense?

A) She is exhausted from practice, and she is half asleep as she tries to talk.

B) Her tone doesn’t match her words, but she does not explain clearly.

C) She usually comes off as so uncaring, yet she obviously cares about him.

D) Her facial expression reflects derision, and she offers no apology for that.

22. Why does Shirin laugh at her own nickname when Ocean asks about it?

A) It is an ironic name for her personality.

B) It is a name from when she was very small.

C) It is a nickname Navid gave her when he was angry.

D) It is her mother’s maiden name that she cannot pronounce.

23. After their phone call, Shirin tries to distance herself from Ocean for days. When he runs into her and she stumbles against him in Bio, in what emotion is her reaction mostly grounded?

A) humiliation

B) anger

C) frustration

D) attraction

24. Based on her interior monologue after Navid tells Shirin that Ocean asked about her, which of these is Shirin most worried about if she and Ocean were to date?

A) Ocean’s perception of the world

B) her parents’ opinion of her

C) the potential of the breakdance crew

D) her grades and scholarly reputation

For each of the following questions, write a one-sentence response based on details in the story.

25. From whom does Shirin learn about the talent show?

26. What does Bethany want from Shirin?

27. What advice does Navid give to Shirin (provided that she really does not like Ocean)?

28. When Shirin returns to school after her fever, why is Yusef waiting for her under her tree?

A) He thinks lunchtime would be a good chance to sit and talk and wants to share the space.

B) He asks her out and thinks going with Navid and his date would appease her parents.

C) He needs help in Trigonometry before a big test and heard she is a valuable tutor.

D) He wants to invite her family to his family’s house for the first evening of Ramadan.

29. Based on Shirin’s recollections about the headscarf incident, what must the policeman have assumed?

A) that she might be abused at home

B) that she taunted the two boys

C) that she and Navid had overreacted

D) that she had learned her lesson

30. Which of these ironies is true regarding Shirin and her mother after Shirin kisses Ocean in his car?

A) Shirin knows she should confess what happened but willingly accepts a worse punishment.

B) Shirin has never lied to her mother in the past but feels she has no choice but to lie now.

C) Shirin greatly respects, even reveres, her mother but cannot confide in her about Ocean.

D) Shirin needs the computer to chat with Ocean, but her mother took it for repairs.

31. Generally, what were the results of the headscarf incident a year ago?

A) Shirin tried not wearing her headscarf; she didn’t like it.

B) Shirin saw a new side to her parents; they moved to a new place.

C) Shirin was supposed to file a complaint with the police; she did not.

D) Shirin grew afraid and paranoid; she stayed home for several weeks.

32. How must Navid feel about Shirin and Ocean being a couple based on his actions before and after the breakdance battle?

A) He is worried and wants them to split up.

B) He thinks he can use the information against Shirin.

C) He doesn’t mind as long as it doesn’t interfere with the crew.

D) He approves and wants Shirin to be happy.

33. Which of these theme topics befits Shirin’s advice to Ocean regarding his feelings about basketball?

A) perseverance

B) hard work

C) self-worth

D) luck

For each of the following questions, write a one-sentence response based on details in the story.

34. From whom does Shirin finally learn about Ocean’s popularity?

35. Why does the girl at lunch tell Shirin that she (Shirin) does not deserve to wear hijab?

36. Which of these plot points provides the strongest foreshadowing that Shirin and Ocean’s relationship will meet with conflict?

A) The basketball coach catches Shirin’s eye and shakes his head.

B) Ocean sees that Shirin keeps a journal and asks to read it.

C) Shirin invites Ocean for Thanksgiving, and he stays for the day.

D) Navid is grouchy and whines often because he is fasting.

37. Based on their tone and actions regarding Ocean on Thanksgiving Day, how must Shirin’s parents feel about Ocean after that event?

A) as if he probably needs instruction in morals and values

B) as if he could be a positive academic role model for Navid

C) as if he might be a danger to be avoided because he likes Shirin

D) as if he is a clean slate with whom to share their passions and ideas

38. After weeks of hiding their relationship, how do Ocean’s and Shirin’s feelings about conspicuousness compare and/or contrast?

A) They are content with hiding if it means they can be together peacefully.

B) They are both tired of hiding it, but Shirin wants to protect Ocean.

C) Shirin is tired of hiding it, but Ocean is worried about his mother’s reaction.

D) Ocean is tired of hiding it, but Shirin loves the secrecy and privacy.

39. Of these characters, whose actions have the most influence on Shirin’s decision to break up with Ocean?

A) her parents and Navid

B) Yusef and her father

C) the coach and Ocean’s mother

D) her mother and Mr. Jordan

40. Which of these theme topics is best represented in Shirin’s feelings after she learns the truth about Ocean’s need for a basketball scholarship?

A) lack of control

B) perseverance

C) work ethic

D) forgiveness

For each of the following questions, write a one-sentence response based on details in the story.

41. On what excuse is Ocean able to go upstairs in Shirin’s house with the intent of seeing her privately?

42. How does it happen that so many students at the high school see what Shirin’s hair looks like?

43. What activity predominates Shirin’s time over winter break?

A) TV with her mother

B) coffee and chatting with father

C) practicing with Navid

D) journal writing by herself

44. Which description best identifies how Shirin feels about Yusef over break?

A) comfortable but disinterested

B) charmed but worried

C) indignant but patient

D) attracted but aggravated

45. How do Shirin’s actions and feelings compare and /or contrast with those of the rest of the crew as they wait to perform?

A) They are all extremely nervous.

B) She is almost emotionless while the boys are filled with anxiety.

C) She and Navid must encourage the others to go on.

D) None are uneasy except for Navid, who is regretful.

46. Which character’s reaction to her talent show performance is the most surprising to Shirin?

A) Ocean’s

B) Mr. Jordan’s

C) Coach Hart’s

D) Yusef’s

47. How does Shirin know that Ocean read her journal?

A) He admits to doing so.

B) Navid takes it to him.

C) She sees evidence of it herself.

D) Yusef saw him and tells her.

48. How does Shirin change as a result of her relationship with Ocean?

A) She allows herself to be loved by him, despite the anger she feels for others.

B) She finally confronts her parents about the heartbreak of relocating.

C) She trusts others even less than she did before she met him.

D) She is more willing to give others a chance to get to know her.

For each of the following questions, respond with a brief phrase or sentence based on details in the story.

49. For what offense is Ocean facing expulsion?

50. What realization leads Shirin to see that breaking up with Ocean was the wrong decision?