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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 becomes routine for Salim?

2. Where do Salim and Yvette go after the steamer gets out of sight?

3. What has become of Indar back in Africa?

4. What is so surprising about Shoba going to her country when her father dies?

5. What is the invitation Yvette offers to Salim?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Salim react to Nazruddin's letter from Uganda?

2. How does the situation in the town deteriorate after the Youth Guard is disbanded?

3. Why do Indar and Ferdinand both board the steamer at the same time?

4. How does Salim begin to compare himself with Mahesh?

5. Explain Salim's obsession with Yvette.

6. How does Indar's behavior on the steamer show that he is not as sure of himself as he told Salim he was?

7. How does Salim learn more about Raymond?

8. What situation irritates Indar when he meets Shoba and Mahesh?

9. Explain who initiates the affair between Salim and Yvette.

10. How are things different socially for Salim after his return from London?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay about Yvette as a classic femme fatale. Detail how she is swept off her feet by romantic visions which she later reduces to romantic stupidity. How does she use Raymond's reputation to get what she wants? State your opinion about whether she ultimately gets what she deserves.

Essay Topic 2

Write a paper on the development of Ferdinand from the time he was sixteen-years-old until last seen in the novel as a young government official. Explain how Naipaul makes those changes and give your opinion as to how accurate he is in doing so.

Essay Topic 3

At the end of the novel, Salim is leaving the town and it is inferred he will return to London and marry Kareisha. The marriage arrangement was tacitly made years ago when Nazruddin sold his store in the town at a loss. Write your opinion of arranged marriages as opposed to the western way of dating before marriage.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 743 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample