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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Father Huismans see himself?

2. What does Salim learn from listening to the BBC?

3. What does Ferdinand think about Huismans' museum?

4. What condition is the town in after the squatters settle?

5. How are the east coast slaves different from those taken on the west coast of Africa?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is happening with the town shortly after Salim arrives?

2. What is Raymond's story about the President as a young man?

3. What does Salim observe about the foreigners at the Domain?

4. Describe Mahesh and his desire to strike it rich.

5. What happens to stop the impending threat of war in the area surrounding the town?

6. Explain why Zabeth brings Ferdinand to see Salim.

7. What is everyone's perception of Raymond?

8. Describe Salim's family.

9. Describe the rumors about the new complex being built near the town.

10. What is going through Salim's mind as he travels deeper into the interior?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write about what you have learned about third world countries from reading A BEND IN THE RIVER. Mention the difficulties of travel, the problem of endless red tape, the disparity between the rich and the poor, and the uncertain political climate that seems to change from day to day.

Essay Topic 2

All through the novel there are changes in people as events unfold. Write an essay about how people and places change with the passing of time. Use either examples from the novel or personal examples of people you have known for a long time and places you have known and how they have changed after a long period of being apart.

Essay Topic 3

At the end of the novel, Salim is leaving the town and it is inferred he will return to London and marry Kareisha. The marriage arrangement was tacitly made years ago when Nazruddin sold his store in the town at a loss. Write your opinion of arranged marriages as opposed to the western way of dating before marriage.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 728 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample