Questions and answers

1. Bifocal
Chapter 4
November 2019
M. Riddell

2. 1. How does Haroon’s father
react to Haroon’s news?
 At first he doesn’t believe him but then he is calm about
it.
 He is angry about the handcuffs but doesn’t yell or
shout.
 He makes dinner and is glad he can look after his
children when other parents can’t look after their
children.

3. 2. What details and rumours
does Zana reveal about the
day’s events?
 That Haroon turned over Azeem so he could take his
spot on the “Reach for the Top” team (rumour)
 That the police arrested 17 people, including Azeem
(fact)
 There was a plot to blow up high schools, government
buildings, and subways (alleged)
 That Azeem did terrible things and belongs to an
international terrorist network (rumour)

4. 3. What does police chief
Timothy Brown say on
page 48?
 The chief says that public safety is important but
everyone should go about their normal daily lives.
 Don’t let the terrorists win by changing your life.
 However, report anything suspicious to the police.
 The arrests don’t reflect badly on the Islamic
community as a whole.

5. 4. How does Zana interpret
Brown’s words?
 Live your life but watch your neighbours, especially if
they are Muslims.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

6. 5. What advice does Haroon’s
mother offer him on page 52?
 If the events don’t blow over she tells Haroon to
remember that he is an honorable young man and has
nothing to be ashamed of.

7. 6. Describe Haroon’s room.
What do we learn about him?
 His family doesn’t flaunt their wealth. They aren’t
“fancy” people.
 Haroon likes to keep his room neat.
 He has some childhood memories and some old family
belongings from Afghanistan.
 His family and his values are important to him.

8. 7. Who is Julian?
 Haroon’s best friend.
 He is Canadian but his parents are from Jamaica.
 He is a ventriloquist.
 He doesn’t worry about where he belongs.

9. 8. What impression do you
get from the police when they
approach Haroon in the
morning before school?
 At first the police act like they are sorry for yesterday.
 Then they seem to think he knows something that can
help them.
 They seem to be bullies.

10. 9. Do the police violate
Haroon’s rights? (p-55)
 “During police questioning, a youth has the right to be
accompanied by his or her parents or guardian, in
addition to the right to a lawyer” taken from
justice.gc.ca website
 Yes and No – Haroon has the right to have his parents
there but since he didn’t ask for them, or a lawyer, it
isn’t technically against the law

11. 10. Why does detective
Moffett ask Haroon
“Will you help us or
will you help them?”
 The police think Haroon might know something about
the terror plot. They want him to realize he has a
choice: to help the police or to help the terrorists, if he
knows something.