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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 Book 2, Chapter 1, what city does Mr. Biswas move to?

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

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

4. Who is Mr. Biswas' supervisor at the new government agency?

5. Why do the problems associated with the house not bother the Biswas family for very long?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Mr. Biswas earn his promotion as reporter for the "Trinidad Sentinel?"

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

3. Describe the conflict that arises between Owad and Anand.

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

5. What is the Deserving Destitutes Fund, and how did Mr. Biswas become involved in it?

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

7. How does the Biswas family feel about the purchase of their new home?

8. Describe the estate at Shorthills.

9. What threatens Mr. Biswas' job at the "Trinidad Sentinel"?

10. Describe Shekhar's life as an adult.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the cycle of personal freedom and dependence on the Tulsi family that Mr. Biswas experiences throughout the novel. What factors motivate Mr. Biswas to move away from the influence of the Tulsi family? What factors motivate him to return to the security of the family? What does Mr. Biswas have to do in order to finally break free from the social and financial dependence he has on his in-laws? What are the implications of this cycle for his children's future?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the effect the division of Mr. Biswas' brothers and sisters had on each character's life. Why might Bipti have made the decision to divide them, and how might it have affected her character throughout the book? How might the death of his father have motivated Mr. Biswas to pursue a better life? What might have happened to Mr. Biswas and his family if his father had been alive to raise the family?

Essay Topic 3

Writing, as well as literature, played an important role in Mr. Biswas' life. How does writing allow Mr. Biswas to express himself safely? How does his career as a newspaper reporter assist him in his quest for freedom and independence? What conflicts arise from his writing at the paper? What effect does his venture as a fiction writer have on his character?

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