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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is Savi's nickname when she is at the Hanuman House?
(a) Little flower.
(b) Little paddler.
(c) Little doll.
(d) Little Sharma.

2. During his illness, what happens to the house that Mr. Biswas was constructing?
(a) It is sold.
(b) It is burnt.
(c) His brothers finish building the house.
(d) Seth and his family move in.

3. After recovering from his illness, how does Mr. Biswas view his future?
(a) As dedicated to family.
(b) As a new beginning on a new house.
(c) As the beginning of his real life.
(d) As bleak and hopeless.

4. How does Mr. Biswas reply to his mother's claim that she will end up in the poorhouse because of him?
(a) He declares that he will find his own job and buy his own house.
(b) He faints.
(c) He cries and runs out of the house.
(d) He declares she will never go hungry as long as he is alive.

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

6. Which relatives visit Mr. Biswas while he is ill?
(a) His brothers, Pratap and Prasad.
(b) Mrs. Tulsi and Seth.
(c) His children, Savi and Anand.
(d) His mother, Bipti, and his brother, Pratap.

7. How does Shama's family react to the purchase of the house?
(a) With snide, cutting remarks and insults.
(b) They beg Shama to stay with them.
(c) With enthusiasm and encouragement.
(d) They worry and warn Shama of the evils of the city.

8. Why is Mr. Biswas sent to school?
(a) His aunt wants him to have the best opportunities possible.
(b) His father left money in his will for his schooling.
(c) A compulsory school attendance law is passed.
(d) He is too young to work.

9. In the prologue, what severance is Mr. Biswas given after he is fired?
(a) Three months' notice and a free newspaper delivered to his door each morning.
(b) Fifteen rupees and a free police radio.
(c) None.
(d) A hundred rupees and a taxicab ride home.

10. What book is Mr. Biswas keep for the rest of his life after being unable to return it to school?
(a) "The Lives of Engineers"
(b) "Bell's Standard Elocutionist"
(c) "That Body of Yours"
(d) "Book of Comprehensive Knowledge"

11. How does Mr. Biswas decorate his room in Green Vale?
(a) With new furniture.
(b) With hand-lettered slogans from Hindi meetings.
(c) With wallpaper salvaged from construction sites.
(d) By painting the entire house inside and out.

12. What does Sharma want to have done to the house being built in Book 1, Chapter 5?
(a) She wants the house blessed.
(b) She wants running water inside the house.
(c) She wants electricity installed.
(d) She wants carpet on the bare floors.

13. How does Mr. Biswas invest the money he saved from his sign painting days?
(a) In an English business.
(b) In stocks and bonds.
(c) In gold.
(d) In stocking the store and purchasing household goods.

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

15. What comment does the midwife make about the newborn Mr. Biswas?
(a) "Whatever you do, keep this boy away from his father."
(b) "Whatever you do, keep this boy away from the water."
(c) "Whatever you do, this boy will eat up his own mother and father."
(d) "Whatever you do, this boy will bring you bad luck."

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Mr. Biswas attempt to collect the money owed to the store?

2. What does Mungroo sue Mr. Biswas for?

3. In Book 1, Chapter 2, who runs away with Dehuti?

4. What does Mr. Biswas study with Pundit Jairam?

5. Who remains with Mr. Biswas at Green Vale when Sharma leaves?

(see the answer keys)

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