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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. What outrageous claim does Owad make about Russian cotton?

2. What justification does Seth give for the destruction of the garden?

3. Which character fails the examination?

4. While Anand is preparing for examinations, what does he do every morning and evening?

5. What pursues the Tulsi chickens?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the Tulsi family plan to do in Shorthills?

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

3. Describe the circumstances and events surrounding the destruction of Mr. Biswas' rose garden.

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

5. How does Mrs. Tulsi react to Owad's impending return from England?

6. Describe the house Mr. Biswas bought from the solicitor's clerk.

7. Describe Shekhar's life as an adult.

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the meaning of the houses that Mr. Biswas purchases and/or builds throughout the story. What might each house's purchase or construction represent? What might the sale or destruction of the first several houses represent?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the influence that English literature and education has on the characters in the book. Choose three characters and describe how an English-based curriculum influences their attitudes early in life. How does Mr. Biswas' love of English literature affect his personal philosophy throughout his life? What difficulties do he and other characters experience that can be attributed to the influence of English literature and education?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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