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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 do Rukmani and her mother do whenever Rukmani travels back to her childhood home?

2. Which one of the villagers is scornful of Rukmani's writing skills?

3. How long does Ira's marriage last?

4. Why do some of the villagers not trust the doctor?

5. At the beginning of Chapter 4, what news does Arjun bring to the family?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Nathan refuse to eat any of the food that Ira brings into the house?

2. On his deathbed, what does Nathan tell Rukmani to comfort her?

3. Rukmani muses that her husband is indeed a patient man for putting up with her in the early days of her marriage. Why does she feel this way?

4. After her son's death, why do two tannery officials visit Rukmani?

5. Where do Rukmani and Nathan find shelter the first night in the city? Why are they directed there?

6. The monsoon season strikes early. How does the village fair?

7. When Rukmani and Nathan meet Murugan's wife, what does she tell them?

8. Why do Rukmani and Nathan not immediately return to their village after learning that Murugan cannot be found?

9. At the beginning of Chapter 2, Nathan becomes angry with Rukmani for the first time ever. Why?

10. Why do Rukmani and Nathan not stay with Murugan's wife?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many of the misunderstandings that Kenny and Rukmani have come from their different ways of viewing the world.

a. Discuss Kenny's world view. How does his world view impact his life and his reactions to life in the village?

b. Discuss Rukmani's world view. How does her world view impact her life and her reactions to life in the village?

Essay Topic 2

Old Granny and Biswas are both customers of Rukmani's. Compare and contrast Old Granny and Biswas in terms of their ability to pay, relationship to Rukmani, and standing in the village community.

Essay Topic 3

The opening of the tannery impacts life in the village in many ways, both positive and negative.

a. Describe three positive and three negative impacts the tannery has on the village.

b. Describe three impacts the tannery has personally on Rukmani.

c. In Rukmani's opinion, what is the biggest positive consequence of the tannery's opening?

d. In Rukmani's opinion, what is the biggest negative consequence of the tannery's opening?

e. Do you agree with Rukmani's opinions (your answers to c & d)? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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