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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 does Dina lend to Rajaram when he wants to start his own business?

2. What does Nusswan think should happen to the people who live on the streets?

3. What game does Maneck attempt to teach Om during their vacation?

4. When does Om want to spy on Dina, an idea which infuriates Maneck?

5. What are the men called that terrorize Dina's apartment?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is Shankar killed?

2. Why does Rajaram want to move to the Himalayas?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

Even though many of the characters are living lives of squalor, there is an innate lever of generosity within the communities.

Part 1.) Choose one character that has proven to be a generous character even though they did not have excessive means, and give three examples of their generosity.

Part 2.) Choose one character that has chosen to be stingy even though they had the means to be generous and give three examples of their stinginess.

Part 3.) Explain why you think these characters chose to react to the poverty around them in this manner.

(see the answer keys)

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