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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. While traveling around the island as part of his new government job, where does Mr. Biswas establish an office?

2. Which character receives a scholarship to the university?

3. What author does Mr. Biswas favor during the period of time when working conditions at "The Sentinel" become extremely stressful?

4. Whom does Mr. Biswas borrow money from in order to purchase the house in Book 2, Chapter 6?

5. Before Book 2, Chapter 3, which family member has managed the family's estates?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the Biswas family's trip to the seaside.

2. How do Owad's communist views affect the Tulsi family?

3. Describe the final details of the sale of the clerk's house.

4. Why does Mr. Biswas buy a typewriter, and what happens to it later in the story?

5. How does Mr. Biswas get his first job for the "Trinidad Sentinel?"

6. Describe Mr. Biswas' new job with the Community Welfare Department.

7. How is Mr. Biswas' second house spared from burning?

8. How does Mr. Biswas use Hanuman House after it has been abandoned by the Tulsi family?

9. How does Mrs. Tulsi's return to Arwacas affect the family left in Port of Spain?

10. How do the school examinations affect the children of the Tulsi household?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the influence the farming venture at Shorthills had on the characters in the novel. What influenced the Tulsi family to try farming? What factors lead to the farm's demise? How does the failure of the farm affect the characters?

Essay Topic 2

The entire world changed after World War II. Discuss the influence World War II had on the lives of the characters in the novel. What were the financial and social repercussions for Trinidad? What difficulties does the war impose on the characters? What advantages did the characters gain due to the war?

Essay Topic 3

Mr. Biswas marries a woman he hardly knows. Discuss Mr. Biswas' relationship with Shama. Describe the attitudes they have towards each other early in their marriage. How does their marriage change when they have children? How does their relationship change when Mr. Biswas buys the clerk's house? By the end of their lives together, do they appear to be content with their relationship? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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