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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 part of his body does Ishvar injure falling into the ditch?

2. How is the size of the worm that passes out of Om's body described?

3. How many perspective wives are found for Om back in the village?

4. Whose idea was it that all four characters eat dinner together in Chapter 10?

5. Who does Rajaram inadvertently kill, causing a family to beat him?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do the established workers at the relocation camp treat the newcomers?

2. How is Shankar killed?

3. How does Ibrahim react after Dina's apartment is destroyed?

4. Why does Dina lose her apartment?

5. Why are the police called to Shankar's funeral?

6. What do Om and Maneck do during their vacation from work?

7. How does Ishvar lose his legs?

8. How does it come to pass that the tailors begin eating dinner in the main house?

9. What living conditions do the tailors see when they are returning home on their first night of freedom, and how does the Beggarmaster explain it?

10. What do Om and Ishvar see when they visit their old boss, Jeevan?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

It seems that all of the characters are attempting to find their own independence in the world. Choose one character and explain what they are trying to gain their independence from, the ways that they go about seeking it, and the outcome of the efforts. Do you think that this character's results were worth the efforts?

Essay Topic 2

The societal structure set up in the novel is one of authority. It seems that most people want authority over others, and once they have it, find themselves exploiting it. Choose one relationship with the novel and explain how both authority and exploitation are large factors in the way that these two people relate. Does it seem that only one person is benefiting in the relationship, or is it possible to find a balance, even when exploitation is involved?

Essay Topic 3

Rajaram is a strange character who exists simply by taking things from others. Give three examples of things that Rajaram has stolen from others, and what you think the items he chooses to steal say about him as a character. Then, weigh in on the transition that happens to Rajaram after he has returned from the Himalayas. Do you believe that his character has changed? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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