A Nonfiction Account of Hurricane Katrina by Dave Eggers
Question 12 • ELA 11B-CR
Read the excerpt from part 4 of Zeitoun.Moments later, another passing soldier looked at Zeitoun and muttered “Taliban.” And as much as he wanted to dismiss both comments, he couldn’t. Now he was sure that there was a grave misunderstanding taking place, and that unraveling it, disproving it, was going to take days. Todd ranted, but Zeitoun knew it would do no good. The question of their innocence or guilt would not be answered in this room, not any time soon. Why does the author include these details?
Answer
A
to compare and contrast Todd and Zeitoun’s experiences
B
to reveal the prevailing racist sentiment among the soldiers
C
to acknowledge the need for a speedy trial for war criminals
D
to emphasize Zeitoun’s efforts to understand the soldiers
Explanation
The soldiers’ comments show that they are judging Zeitoun by a racist stereotype rather than by evidence. Calling him “Taliban” reveals the prejudice shaping their treatment of him and their assumption that he is guilty. The passage focuses on the soldiers’ attitudes, not on comparing the men’s experiences or arguing for a speedy trial.
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