View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Dina feel about the tailor's house hunting?

2. What does Rajaram want to do with his life after he moves?

3. How does Dina react to Maneck's return?

4. What article of Om's clothing does Maneck tear during their fight?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to Rajaram that prompts him to leave his job at the government?

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

3. 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?

4. What happens when Om begins to itch with lice?

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

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

7. Why does Dina go to speak to Mrs. Gupta and what does she tell her?

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

9. How is Shankar killed?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Dina Dalal is described as a very tough woman. There have been many mishaps in her life that have shaped her. Describe two incidents in Dina's life that have shaped her into the independent woman that she is. Also, compare/contrast Dina's relationships with her brother Nusswan and Rustom. Which relationship do you think had a larger impact on her?

Essay Topic 2

The final chapter of this novel is entitled "The Circle is Complete". Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not? Choose one of the main characters: either Dina, Maneck, Om, or Ishvar, and explain why their circle is or is not complete. If you are arguing that their circle is not complete, explain what is missing. Be sure to use ample material from the text to support your argument.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 736 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample