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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 his body does Ishvar injure falling into the ditch?

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

3. Who kills the Beggarmaster?

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

5. What part of his body does Om lose?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why does Dina lose her apartment?

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

4. How does Maneck die?

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

6. How is Shankar killed?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Three very powerful images within the novel are Dina's quilt, the Beggarmaster's bag of coins, and Maneck's chess set. Choose one of these images and explain what they symbolize within the novel. How does Mistry use these items to convey a particular message to his audience?

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the entire novel, Ishvar is obsessed with finding a wife for Om. Marriage is seen as a positive addition to families even when the family doesn't have the financial means to support another person.

Part 1.) Compare/Contrast the marriage between Dina and Rustom to the one between Nusswan and Ruby. What is the same about these marriages and what is different?

Part 2.) Explain why you think Ishvar's expectations for Om's wife and marriage are reasonable. How will Om's impending marriage affect the lives of everyone living in Dina's home?

Essay Topic 3

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.

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