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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. What is Maximes?

2. What is Indar's complaint about getting a ticket on the steamer?

3. What does Shoba do when she returns?

4. Where does Salim go on his first airplane flight?

5. What is Mahesh's behavior while Shoba is gone?

Short Essay Questions

1. How are things different socially for Salim after his return from London?

2. What was the social gaffe that got Yvette excluded for the President's social events?

3. How does Salim learn more about Raymond?

4. How does Indar's behavior on the steamer show that he is not as sure of himself as he told Salim he was?

5. Explain the basis for Indar's depression.

6. Describe the beginning of the relationship between Salim and Yvette.

7. What situation irritates Indar when he meets Shoba and Mahesh?

8. What has become of Indar?

9. What encouragement did a woman lecturer give Indar in England?

10. How does Salim get away from the local situation for a while?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a paper on the way Naipaul develops the character of Indar. Start with his early optimism about a European education. Discuss why you think he was never really successful. Explain how Naipaul creates Indar as a person who over values his own importance. Trace his arrival at the Domain with his chance meeting of the American and running into Raymond at the American millionaire's house.

Essay Topic 2

In the novel, visitors to the Domain become increasingly critical of the country and even the expatriates they satirize as becoming Africans themselves. Write an essay on the incorrectness of putting down other people and cultures simply because they are different from your own.

Essay Topic 3

The theme of living in fear runs throughout the novel. Write an essay on how humans are affected by constant fear. Explain how you would deal with the constant threat of corrupt police, high crime, and instability of the government.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 700 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample