Final answer:
The report likely to startle Marji's family in Madrid would be about the Iranian Revolution, which saw the Shah's departure, the rise in anti-Shah protests, and the establishment of an Islamic Republic.
Step-by-step explanation:
At their Madrid hotel, what startles Marji's family when they see a report about Iran on television?
The report on television that startles Marji's family is likely the news about the outbreak of the Iranian Revolution. Events such as the Muslim clergy calling for an open-air prayer meeting during Ramadan that ended in violence with the army firing at protesters, the rise in anti-Shah demonstrations, and the backlash against the United States' support for the Shah would have been shocking. Moreover, the departure of the Shah and the establishment of the new Islamic Republic under Ayatollah Khomeini were turning points that had far-reaching effects.
The Iranian Revolution took many by surprise, not only those in Iran but across the globe, as it represented a significant geopolitical shift. Marji's family, watching from their hotel room in Madrid, would have been startled by the rapid and dramatic changes taking place in their home country.