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

2. How does Nathan characterize Rukmani?

3. What does Ira wear on her wedding day?

4. When Rukmani's mother is on her deathbed, who does her father send for?

5. How old is Ira when she is given in marriage?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Rukmani learn that there is trouble at the tannery?

2. Why does Kenny think Selvam would be a good assistant?

3. Why does Arjun go to work in the tannery?

4. When Nathan questions why Rukmani is grieving, what does she tell him?

5. When Arjun and Thambi return home from the tannery after Rukmani and Nathan could not find them for lunch, what do Rukmani and Nathan learn about the day's trouble?

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

7. Describe the temperament of Nathan and Rukmani's daughter.

8. When selecting a suitable husband for Ira, Nathan and Rukmani list several requirements of the selected man. When suitable match is found, what requirements does he meet?

9. Kuti's condition is improving although there still is no food. Rukmani attributes his improvement to her prayers. What is actually causing his improvement?

10. Why is Sacrabani isolated from the other children?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Death is one of the themes visited throughout the novel.

a. Kuti, Raja, and Nathan all die in the novel. Describe their deaths. Who were they surrounded by? What circumstances led to their deaths? Could their deaths have been prevented?

b. Compare and contrast the effect each of their deaths has on Rukmani (Kuti, Old Granny, and Nathan).

c. How were deaths handled in the city versus in the village?

d. After Old Granny's death, Rukmani realizes something about the nature of people. What is it? Do you agree with Rukmani? Support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

Both Ira and Kunthi turn to prostitution to earn money.

a. Describe Ira's motives for prostituting her body.

b. Describe Kunthi's motives for prostituting her body.

c. Do their motives make their actions any less objectionable? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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