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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 game does Maneck attempt to teach Om during their vacation?

2. To whom is it revealed that the Beggarmaster is related?

3. What lie does Dina tell Mrs. Gupta about the tailors?

4. Who is Jeevan?

5. Who is Mr.Valmik?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when the Beggarmaster comes to visit the relocation camp in Chapter 9?

2. How does Maneck die?

3. How is the Beggarmaster killed?

4. How does the reunification between Dina and Maneck transpire?

5. How does the Beggarmaster know that he is related to Shankar?

6. What does Dina do around the house when the tailors are off searching for a house, and how does she react when they return?

7. Why does the Beggarmaster leave Shankar on the streets even after it is revealed that they are brothers?

8. How does Ishvar lose his legs?

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

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

Om and Ishvar are forced to move around quite a bit within the novel. The main places that they call home are the slums, the work camp, the doorway, and Dina's home. Briefly describe the characters lives in each of those homes, what was positive about each of them, and what was negative.

Essay Topic 2

The idea of social hierarchy is very strong within this novel.

Part 1.) Explain the ways that the main characters fit into the social hierarchy.

Part 2.) Choose one character and give three examples of ways that they attempt to claw their way up the social ladder.

Part 3) Explain the outcome of the character's struggle. Did it turn out to be a success, or a failure?

Essay Topic 3

Dina's relationship with Maneck runs the gamut of levels. There are times when she is interested in him as lover, a son, a friend.

Part 1.) Create a timeline of progression for the ways that Dina views Maneck. What seem to the be triggers that move her from one mentality to another?

Part 2.) Explain the different ways that Maneck responds to Dina's view of him. In what type of relationship does he seem to be the most interested?

Part 3.) Explain which relationship you think would be the best for Dina and Maneck. What type of relationship seems to be the healthiest? Which would most benefit the characters as individuals?

(see the answer keys)

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