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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In Book 2, Chapter 1, where does Mr. Biswas find his mother living?
(a) With Mrs. Tulsi.
(b) With his brother Prasad.
(c) With his brother Pratap.
(d) In a mud hovel.

2. What color does Mr. Biswas paint his typewriter?
(a) Blue.
(b) Silver.
(c) Black.
(d) Yellow.

3. Why is Shekhar jealous of Owad?
(a) He loves Owad's fiance.
(b) Owad is Mrs. Tulsi's favorite child.
(c) He wishes he could work overseas.
(d) Shekhar claims he wanted to study at Cambridge.

4. What outrageous claim does Owad make about Russian cotton?
(a) It is edible.
(b) It naturally grows in different colors and does not need to be dyed.
(c) The cotton bolls grow as large as tennis balls.
(d) It is as heavy as wool.

5. What opposition does Mr. Biswas have to the family's plan to raise sheep?
(a) No one has the time to look after the flock.
(b) The family does not own enough pasture.
(c) He believes it is immoral for Hindus to raise sheep for meat.
(d) Sheep are noisy and smell bad.

6. What does Mr. Biswas offer to do for free for the editor of the newspaper?
(a) Set up the typesetter.
(b) Proofread.
(c) Clean his office.
(d) Write articles.

7. How does the editor react to Mr. Biswas' free work?
(a) He offers Mr. Biswas $15 a week to proofread articles.
(b) He offers Mr. Biswas $15 a week to write articles.
(c) He gives Mr. Biswas construction supplies.
(d) He promotes Mr. Biswas to head custodian.

8. Which subject does Anand excel in at school?
(a) Lettering.
(b) English composition.
(c) Science.
(d) Mathematics.

9. What claim does Prakash make that offends Mr. Biswas?
(a) His father has more money than Mr. Biswas.
(b) Shama should never have married Mr. Biswas.
(c) His father has more books than Mr. Biswas.
(d) Mr. Biswas is too stupid to build a house.

10. Why does Owad go to England?
(a) To study English literature.
(b) To marry.
(c) To work for a relative.
(d) To study medicine.

11. What is the job of the certificate searcher?
(a) To help the illiterate apply for birth, death and marriage certificates.
(b) To locate stolen and missing visas and travel documents.
(c) To help the wealthy procure visas and travel documents.
(d) To catalog birth, death and marriage certificates in the civil office.

12. What does Shama borrow from Basdai?
(a) $200
(b) A handcart.
(c) Flour.
(d) A rope.

13. Which high-paying government agency is Mr. Biswas invited to join?
(a) The Community Welfare Department.
(b) The Department of Family and Children's Services.
(c) The Department of Civil Engineering.
(d) The Department of Transportation.

14. What sign does Mr. Biswas post on his house in Shorthills?
(a) For sale or rent.
(b) For free.
(c) No trespassing.
(d) Keep out.

15. In Book 2, Chapter 4, what happens to Chinta?
(a) She has her 10th child.
(b) She leaves Govind.
(c) She is beaten by Govind.
(d) She has an affair with Seth.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Mrs. Tulsi evict everyone from the house in Port of Spain?

2. When does Mr. Biswas make the final decision to purchase the house?

3. When Mr. Burnett leaves the "Sentinel," where does he go?

4. In Book 2, Chapter 5, which items does Mrs. Tulsi insist on showing everyone?

5. Why does the man in the café need to sell his house?

(see the answer keys)

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