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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 is Abraham's physical infirmity introduced?

2. What does the argument between Flory and her son reveal to the reader?

3. What does Moraes say about breathing?

4. What does the family legend say is in Flory's treasure chest?

5. How does Moraes say Aurora became so famous at the Ganesha festival?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the transformation of Abraham?

2. How does Vasco Miranda come into the lives of the Zogoiby family?

3. As Aurora's popularity wanes, what does she do with her life?

4. By 1987, what is the annual ritual Aurora performs that eventually leads to her death.

5. How does Moor feel about his parents union?

6. What painting does Miranda cover with another after Aurora reacts negatively to the original?

7. What evidence does Camoens have that the ghost of his late wife is still in the house?

8. Why are Camoens and Aires given fifteen year prison sentences?

9. Why is Moor thankful for Epifania's strict devotion to her faith?

10. Explain what is special about the blue tiles in the synagogue.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay of at least two typed, double spaced pages entitled, Salman Rushdie's Love Affair with Words. Divide your essay into three parts as follows:

(1) Rushdie's use of alliteration and onomatopoeia. (2) Rushdie's use of strings of hyphenated words to form nouns or adjectives. (3) Rushdie's coining of words for special effect. Be sure to quote passages from the novel to support your points.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay of at least two typed, double spaced pages on Rushdie's use of references to literature and incorporation of actual history in his novel. Use as main points:

(1) examples of various literary quotes or adaptations (your choice), (2) actual events such as the rally with Gandhi and the imprisonment of Nehru, and (3) finally the way he works the 1993 bombings into the story.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay of at least two typed, double spaced pages on Power and Greed. Your essay should include the element of ruthlessness in the characters of Aurora, Abraham, Uma, and fielding. Give an opinion on how power corrupts each of those characters. Sum up with the end results of overreaching one's limitations.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 746 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample