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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What solution does Seth recommend for Mr. Biswas' financial problems?
(a) Selling the store to his English investor.
(b) Declaring bankruptcy.
(c) Burning the store and collecting the insurance.
(d) Hiring thugs to collect debts.

2. What treatment does the doctor recommend for Mr. Biswas?
(a) Ovaltine, vitamins, and rest.
(b) Radiation and chemotherapy.
(c) An experimental medication.
(d) Hospitalization.

3. Why does Mr. Biswas accuse the Tulsis of being "orthodox Roman Catholic Hindus"?
(a) Because Owad's best friend is Catholic.
(b) Because the family closes shop for the Christmas holiday.
(c) Because two boys in the house attend mass at a Catholic school.
(d) Because the family does business with a Catholic investor.

4. Why does Sharma call her daughter Savi?
(a) She believes that the name will bless her daughter.
(b) Savi is a variant of Sharma's own name.
(c) Because Mr. Biswas dislikes the name.
(d) She believes that saying her daughter's true name aloud is unlucky.

5. What does Mr. Biswas read in bed while living at Green Vale?
(a) Charles Dickens.
(b) Political magazines.
(c) The old newspapers that wallpaper his walls.
(d) Hindi literature.

6. What does Sharma blame for the failure of the store?
(a) The poor economy.
(b) Mr. Biswas' lazy behavior.
(c) The overuse of credit.
(d) The greed of their customers.

7. What does Bipti do the day before Mr. Biswas is born?
(a) Falls down the stairs.
(b) Crosses the path of a white calf.
(c) Goes to her parents' home with her three children.
(d) Faints at the market.

8. How many days does the pundit recommend Mr. Biswas' father wait before seeing his newborn son?
(a) 7.
(b) 21.
(c) 12.
(d) 90.

9. In the prologue, how does Shama attempt to earn money?
(a) By stealing food and selling back to the market.
(b) By buying potatoes wholesale and then reselling them.
(c) By selling used cars.
(d) By working as a custodian for the local school.

10. While at school, what talent does Mr. Biswas discover he has?
(a) Ornate lettering.
(b) English.
(c) Public speaking.
(d) Mathematics.

11. How does the family at Hanuman House learn that Mr. Biswas is sick?
(a) Through a message.
(b) In a newspaper article.
(c) Through a phone call.
(d) Through a rumor.

12. In Book 1, Chapter 3, which relative betrays Mr. Biswas to the Tulsis?
(a) Pundit Tulsi.
(b) Govind.
(c) Owad.
(d) Sharma.

13. What does Mr. Biswas use to begin construction on his new house in Book 1, Chapter 5?
(a) Cinder blocks.
(b) Bricks from an old estate.
(c) Salvaged or cheaply purchased used materials.
(d) Fresh lumber from the field.

14. How does Shama react to the purchase of the house?
(a) With anger.
(b) With feigned indifference.
(c) With skepticism.
(d) With enthusiasm.

15. Who sold Mr. Biswas the house?
(a) A greedy real estate agent.
(b) A solicitor's clerk.
(c) His wealthy uncle.
(d) An old woman who reminded him of his mother.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why is Mr. Biswas sent to school?

2. What physical reaction does Mr. Biswas have to stress?

3. When Mr. Biswas becomes disillusioned about his marriage to Sharma, where does he go?

4. What comment does the midwife make about the newborn Mr. Biswas?

5. What does Sharma use to treat bedbugs?

(see the answer keys)

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