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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. In the prologue, how does Shama attempt to earn money?

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

3. What does Mungroo sue Mr. Biswas for?

4. Which relatives visit Mr. Biswas while he is ill?

5. Where does Sharma go to prepare for the birth of her first child?

Short Essay Questions

1. What job does Mr. Biswas have as a child, and how does he lose that job?

2. How does Mr. Biswas express his displeasure with his in-laws and his communal living situation?

3. Why does Pundit Jairam send Mr. Biswas home?

4. Describe Mr. Biswas.

5. What motivates Mr. Biswas to choose the house for his family?

6. What role does Seth play in assisting Mr. Biswas to recover from his illness?

7. Describe Mr. Biswas' emotional state during his illness.

8. Describe Mr. Biswas' early education.

9. Describe the events leading to Mr. Biswas and Shama's courtship and marriage.

10. How does Mr. Biswas' father die?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the influence the rise of colonialism and had on the characters after World War II. How do the characters feel about their society before the war? What effect does colonialism have on the characters' attitudes towards their own society? How do the characters use colonialism to their advantage?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the differences between Eastern and Western standards of success. Which standard does the Tulsi family follow? Which standard does Mr. Biswas follow? How does the conflict with the Tulsi family affect Mr. Biswas' attitude towards success? How might his attitude affect the future of his children and grandchildren?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the influences that traditional Eastern superstitions and prophecies have on the characters in the book. How does the pundit's prophecy affect Mr. Biswas as an infant and as a schoolboy? What reaction does he have to traditional blessings and prophecies later in life? How does his attitude towards the supernatural affect his relationships with other characters?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,003 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample