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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 was Rustom's most prized possession?

2. In Chapter 7, who does Dina share memories of with Maneck?

3. While Ishvar, Om, and Maneck are traveling by train, what possession of Maneck's comes falling onto Om's back?

4. After Dina's conversation with Ibrahim, what does Om consider doing?

5. What is happening with the people of the land due to The Emergency?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is the village, where the train makes its sudden halt, described?

2. In Chapter 7, what happens to the slums that Om and Ishvar are living in?

3. What is Ishvar and Om's reaction to the work that they must do in the relocation camp?

4. How does Maneck's father, Farokh, treat his soft-drink recipe?

5. After completing the first order of dresses, how do Om and Ishvar act around the shop?

6. Why does Dukhi send for his sons to be sent to live with Ashraf?

7. What kindness does Dina show Om in Chapter 7?

8. How does the relationship between Dina and Rustom progress?

9. What happens when Rustom goes out to buy ice cream on his third wedding anniversary?

10. What does the officer suggest that Om and Ishvar do in their pursuit of a ration card?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Dina's character changes quite a bit when it comes to her ability to love.

Part 1.) Explain why you think Dina was initially so cold to the tailors.

Part 2.) Explain the ways that the tailors won Dina over, warming her heart.

Part 3.) Explain the outcome of this changing relationship. Who do you think the love benefited more?

Essay Topic 2

There are many different landscapes over which this novel takes place: the mountains, the slums, and the cities. Briefly explain what do you think each of these landscapes represents, and why do you think Mistry chose to set certain events of the novel within each of these landscapes?

Essay Topic 3

When Maneck commits suicide at the end of the novel, his final thought is that he is happy to be holding the chess board. This thought is a bit ambiguous as to whether Maneck is feeling guilt, or if he is overwhelmed with the way that the world has turned out.

Part 1.) Argue what you believe to be the meaning to Maneck's final thoughts.

Part 2.) Argue why you think it was so important to Maneck that he is holding the chess board, especially after he spent years not taking care of it, or missing its presence.

(see the answer keys)

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