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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 type of job does Dina take on from Shirin Aunty?

2. What did Ishvar's mother steal for her young son?

3. What don't the men have, which prohibits them from being eligible for ration cards?

4. In Chapter 6, what does Ishvar realize Dina is craving?

5. How does Ishvar claim his sterilization form was destroyed?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Om rent a bicycle?

2. How is Ishvar's face disfigured?

3. Why does Dukhi send for his sons to be sent to live with Ashraf?

4. How do Om and Ishvar find shelter after they lose their home in Chapter 7?

5. What happens to young Maneck when he is away for the first time at boarding school?

6. What signs does Dina believe she receives telling her not to date again?

7. What are Sergeant Kesar and the facilitator sent to the streets to do?

8. How does Mrs. Gupta feel about The Emergency?

9. Why does Maneck say that he is going to college?

10. When do Om and Ishvar first meet Rajaram?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The idea of social hierarchy is very strong within this novel.

Part 1.) Explain the ways that the main characters fit into the social hierarchy.

Part 2.) Choose one character and give three examples of ways that they attempt to claw their way up the social ladder.

Part 3) Explain the outcome of the character's struggle. Did it turn out to be a success, or a failure?

Essay Topic 2

Because of the imbalance of power seen within the novel, many characters end up being victims of one abuse or another.

Part 1.) Choose one character who is seen as a victim in the novel and explain the ways that they were abused by their surroundings and explain the ways that you have seen these abuses affect the characters progression in life. How deeply were they affected?

Part 2.) Explain the ways that this character will later go on to abuse others. How does this highlight the "Circle is Complete" theme within the novel? Or, if you do not believe that this character perpetuated any abuse, explain how you think this character broke the cycle?

Essay Topic 3

It seems that all of the characters are attempting to find their own independence in the world. Choose one character and explain what they are trying to gain their independence from, the ways that they go about seeking it, and the outcome of the efforts. Do you think that this character's results were worth the efforts?

(see the answer keys)

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