2. Why does the narrator say that "Not many noticed the passing of the friendly old birds" (5) in the Prologue?
(a) "There was too much to worry about."
(b) "There were so many atrocities to face."
(c) "There was so much death around."
(d) "There was so much else to look forward to."

3. Who is described by the narrator as having brought Anjum a black ram in Chapter 2?
(a) Nimmo Gorakhpuri.
(b) Biplab Dasgupta.
(c) Amrik Singh.
(d) Mulaqat Ali.

4. What does "la ilaha" (13) translate to in English?
(a) "The love of God."
(b) "Praise Allah."
(c) "Allah as God."
(d) "There is no God."

5. For how long does the narrator say the white-backed vultures have been the custodians of the dead in the Prologue?
(a) Over 500 million years.
(b) Over 40 million years.
(c) Over 20 million years.
(d) Over 100 million years.

Short Answer Questions

1. Nimmo Gorakpuri told Aftab in Chapter 2 that God created creatures like them because he wanted to create "a living creature that is incapable of" (27) what?

2. What does "Jannat" translate to in English?

3. Who is the self-described sexologist that Mulaqat Ali took his son to see first?

4. What does the word "Khwabgah" (23) translate to in English?

5. Why did the soldiers save Anjum's life, according to the narrator in Chapter 2?

(see the answer key)

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