Reading Day 5 - Answers - 17

Malala Yousafzai
Malala Yousafzai
by ReadWorks
Photo Credit: DFID - UK Department for International Development (Malala Yousafzai: Education for girls), CC BY 2.0
Photograph of Malala Yousafzai
Malala Yousafzai was born on July 12, 1997, in Mingora, Pakistan. As a young child, Malala
was exposed to the importance of education. Her father was in charge of running a local
learning institution and instilled in Malala the value of attending school. Everything changed
for Malala and her family when the Taliban began to have more authority in the Swat Valley
region around 2007. The Taliban, a violent fundamental Islamist group, prohibited females
from participating in many activities, including attending school. The Taliban were so
committed to banning female access to education that they destroyed around 400 schools
within two years of their control.
But Malala would not be deterred from her passion for learning. Not only did she continue to
attend school, but she also spoke publicly about her dissent. On a Pakistani televised
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Malala Yousafzai
program, Malala was brave enough to express her disbelief; "How dare the Taliban take away
my basic right to education?" Malala boldly proclaimed. Under the pseudonym 'Gul Makai,'
she also began to blog about what it was like as a female under the Taliban's oppressive rule.
Life became so dangerous for Malala and her family that they had to flee their home as a
temporary safety measure. When they returned, Malala and her father started to become
more vocal in opposition to the Taliban's sexist rules. Word started to spread about this father-
daughter duo and Malala began to win awards for her bravery. The Taliban was extremely
unhappy with Malala, and on October 9, 2012, a member of the Taliban shot Malala in the
head.
Malala received immediate medical attention, and after multiple surgeries, she woke up from
a coma. Miraculously, the trauma did not cause any permanent brain damage! As the story of
her survival and bravery spread, Malala became an international icon and an education
advocate. Since recovering from her wound, Malala has written a best-selling book and
started a foundation for female empowerment. In October 2014, Malala won a much-
deserved Nobel Peace Prize.
Photograph of the Obama family meeting with Malala

Malala Yousafzai - Comprehension Questions Answer Key
1. Where was Malala Yousafzai born?
A. Afghanistan
B. India
C. Pakistan
D. Turkey
2. The text describes the sequence of important events in Malala Yousafzai's life. What
happened on October 9, 2012?
A. Malala met President Obama and his family.

B. A member of the Taliban shot Malala in the head.
C. Malala left Pakistan with her family.
D. Malala won the Nobel Peace Prize.
3. Read the following sentences from the text.
"But Malala would not be deterred from her passion for learning. Not only did she
continue to attend school, but she also spoke publicly about her dissent. On a Pakistani
televised program, Malala was brave enough to express her disbelief; 'How dare the
Taliban take away my basic right to education?' Malala boldly proclaimed. Under the
pseudonym 'Gul Makai,' she also began to blog about what it was like as a female
under the Taliban's oppressive rule."
Which conclusion about Malala does this information best support?
A. She is very kind but reserved.

B. She is very determined and outspoken.
C. She is very mysterious and troubled.
D. She is very creative but lazy.
4. Why is the rule of the Taliban especially harmful to girls and women?
A. The Taliban stops females from having children of their own.

B. The Taliban violently forces females to get an education when they don't want one.
C. The Taliban stops femalesfrom participating in many activities, including
getting an education.
D. The Taliban forces families to get rid of their female relatives.
5. What is the main idea of the text?
A. The Taliban, a violent fundamental Islamist group, prohibited females from

participating in many activities, including attending school.
B. Malala Yousafzai risked her life to pursue an education and speak out against
the Taliban's sexist rules, becoming an international icon and education advocate.
C. Malala Yousafzaiwas shot by a Taliban member, but miraculously, the trauma did not
cause any permanent brain damage.
D. Malala Yousafzai'sfather was in charge of running a local learning institution when
she was a child and instilled in Malala the value of education.
6. Read the following sentences.
"The Taliban, a violent fundamental Islamist group, prohibited females from participating
in many activities, including attending school. The Taliban were so committed to
banning female access to education that they destroyed around 400 schools within two
years of their control. "
Based on the text, what does the word "prohibit" mean?
A. increase
B. stop
C. encourage
D. educate
7. Choose the answer that best completes the sentence.
Malala and her father started to become more vocal in opposition to the Taliban's sexist
rules. ________, a member of the Taliban shot Malala in the head.
A. However
B. In conclusion
C. Consequently
D. Contrastly

8. Why did the Taliban destroy around 400 schools in Pakistan within two years of their
control?
The Taliban destroyed the schools because they were so committed to

banning female access to education.
9. How did Malala Yousafzai react to the Taliban's policies against girls and women?
Use information from the text to support your answer.
Answers may vary but should be supported by the text. For example,
students may indicate that she publicly spoke out against the Taliban's
rule, including on television and on a blog. She also defied their ban on
female access to education by continuing to attend school.
10. The text states that Malala Yousafzai became "an international icon." An icon can be
a person who is highly respected and regarded.
Why might Malala be considered "an international icon"? Use information from the text
to support your answer.
Answers may vary but should be supported by the text. Generally, students
may indicate that Malala is considered an international icon because she
put her life at great risk to fight for the basic right of education and to
stand up to the violent Islamist group known as the Taliban. She
continued to attend school when the Taliban banned female access to
education in Pakistan and she publicly spoke out against the sexist policies
of the Taliban. Students may also note that Malala's display of bravery,
wisdom, and determination at such a young age also make her deserving
of the "international icon" status.

Reading Day 5 - Answers - 17

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Malala Yousafzai

Photograph of Malala Yousafzai

Photograph of the Obama family meeting with Malala

ReadWorks.org · © 2017 ReadWorks®, Inc. All rights reserved.

1. Where was Malala Yousafzai born?

A. Malala met President Obama and his family.

3. Read the following sentences from the text.

Which conclusion about Malala does this information best support?

A. She is very kind but reserved.

A. The Taliban stops females from having children of their own.

5. What is the main idea of the text?

A. The Taliban, a violent fundamental Islamist group, prohibited females from

6. Read the following sentences.

Based on the text, what does the word "prohibit" mean?

7. Choose the answer that best completes the sentence.

ReadWorks.org · © 2020 ReadWorks®, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Taliban destroyed the schools because they were so committed to

ReadWorks.org · © 2020 ReadWorks®, Inc. All rights reserved.

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