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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 the goonda's bodies were broken in their "accident" orchestrated by the Beggarmaster?

2. What article of clothing does Ashraf wish to buy for the tailors?

3. Who comes to Dina asking for money in Chapter 9?

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

5. What does Om spit in Thakur's face?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. How does Ishvar lose his legs?

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

5. How does Om lose his testicles?

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 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)

This section contains 700 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample