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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Ira tell Sacrabani about his father?
(a) That he is dead.
(b) That he doesn't want them.
(c) That he is married to another woman.
(d) That he is away and will come to them when he can.

2. How long does it actually take to complete the hospital?
(a) Twenty-nine months.
(b) Seven years.
(c) Seven months.
(d) Two years.

3. When Rukmani and Nathan have almost earned enough money to return home, what does Rukmani buy from the vendor in celebration?
(a) Plantains.
(b) Fried pancakes.
(c) Sugar whirls.
(d) Extra rice.

4. Who does Rukmani actually find in the house?
(a) Kali.
(b) Janaki.
(c) Kunthi.
(d) Ira.

5. In order to earn enough money to return to their village, Nathan and Rukmani continue to work in the city in spite of the rain that begins to fall. How many days in a row does it rain?
(a) Seven.
(b) Two.
(c) Four.
(d) Ten.

6. When Rukmani goes to the river to wash Ira's garment, what does she find in the garment's folds?
(a) A writing tablet.
(b) A rupee.
(c) A coconut frond.
(d) A bundle of rice.

7. After leaving the Collector's house, where do Rukmani and Nathan go?
(a) To the hotel.
(b) To the temple.
(c) To the doctor's house.
(d) To their village.

8. After the conversation with Biswas in the village, what does Rukmani buy for Kenny?
(a) A bundle of rice.
(b) A new shirt.
(c) A garland.
(d) A new hat.

9. How do Nathan and Rukmani raise the rent money they must pay?
(a) They sell the rest of the rice they were holding in reserves.
(b) They sell some of their belongings.
(c) They go to work at the tannery.
(d) They teach other villagers to read and write.

10. What does Rukmani talk Nathan out of selling?
(a) Their bullocks.
(b) Their pots and pans.
(c) The next season's seed.
(d) Their wedding clothes.

11. Who is Brila?
(a) The boy who leads them to the couple.
(b) The doctor their son works for.
(c) The priest at the temple.
(d) The social worker who gives them shelter.

12. Shortly after Sacrabani's birth, something happens to Nathan for the first time. What is it?
(a) Nathan quits farming.
(b) Nathan falls ill.
(c) Nathan works at the tannery.
(d) Nathan leaves Rukmani.

13. Who is Puli?
(a) The social worker who gives them shelter.
(b) The doctor that their son works for.
(c) The priest at the temple.
(d) The boy who leads the couple to their son's home.

14. In order to pay their rent, what is Rukmani forced to sell?
(a) Her red sari.
(b) Ira's new dowry.
(c) Her mother's ring.
(d) Her new dress.

15. Who believes that most of the troubles at the tannery--and indeed in the world--are a result of the education learned through books?
(a) Kali.
(b) Kunthi.
(c) Selvam.
(d) Rukmani.

Short Answer Questions

1. During their conversation in the village, Biswas tells Rukmani a rumor he heard from Kunthi. What is the rumor?

2. As the drought continues, how much food is available for the family when Rukmani first measures it?

3. Who comes to the farm to collect the rent?

4. What does Kenny recommend that Nathan needs to eat when he is ill in order to regain his strength?

5. What does Rukmani use for the first time at the doctor's house?

(see the answer keys)

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