Why did Baba and others lie about Hassan's upbringing?

• A. They wanted to spare Amir's feelings.
• B. Because Hassan being Hazara was shameful; they hid it to preserve honor.
• C. They forgot the truth.
• D. They lacked the information.

Answer: (B)

The idea being tested is how social expectations about honor and ethnicity shape people’s choices. In the story, Hassan is Hazara, a marginalized ethnic group, living in a Pashtun household. To avoid shame in Kabul’s society, Baba and others choose to hide Hassan’s true background and present his upbringing in a way that preserves the family’s honor. It’s not about sparing Amir’s feelings or simply forgetting the truth or lacking information; it’s about maintaining appearances in a society that would judge them harshly for Hassan’s Hazara status. This shows how the pull of social status can override honesty in family matters.