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

2. What type of weather keeps Maneck and Om from leaving the house during their vacation?

3. How many rupees per week must Om and Ishvar pay the Beggarmaster in return for their freedom?

4. Who kills the Beggarmaster?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

7. How is the Beggarmaster killed?

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

9. What happens when Dina purchases a bottle of vermifuge and gives a dose to Om?

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

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

The "Emergency" is a very powerful force of destruction within the novel.

Part 1.) Briefly explain what the state of Emergency within the novel was.

Part 2.) Explain the catastrophic results this state of Emergency had on the lives of the main characters.

Part 3.) Explain why you think calling the situation an emergency was validated within the novel.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 729 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample