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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. The sisters remember playing in the sand and along the banks of what nearby river?

2. How do Bim's students describe Old Delhi?

3. What do the Misras sisters want Bakul, Bim and Tara to do that night?

4. What does Bim think of his statement?

5. What goes wrong with Dr. Biswas and Bim?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Bim begin to respond to Dr. Biswas and his invitations to take her out?

2. Why does Raja choose Hindu College over his original choice?

3. Describe Bim as an adult woman, including her attitude towards her family members as well as her appearance.

4. Why do you think Bim believes she is seeing Aunt Mira's ghost in the garden?

5. Describe Bakul's appearance and behavior, and discuss his attitude towards his work and towards his wife.

6. Why does Tara begin to spend time with the Misras sisters?

7. Describe the way Bim speaks to Tara, to Bakul and to Baba.

8. Why does the tea party with Dr. Biswas, his mother and Bim go badly?

9. Why does Dr. Biswas feel a sense of failure after talking to Bim about Raja's tuberculosis?

10. How is Old Delhi different from New Delhi? Re-read the parts describing the city and note the words the author uses. Do the words create a sense of place?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Tara is a very sensitive soul. Incidents that seem trivial to others become major events and obstacles for Tara. Why do you think this is? What steps could she take to become stronger and more accepting about life?

Essay Topic 2

Several minor characters in this novel are highlighted during the novel: Mulk, Dr. Biswas, and Sharma. What role do these characters play in the progress of the plot? What role do they play in accentuating the character development of the main characters?

Essay Topic 3

Why is Bim so afraid at the last that Tara will take Baba with them to Raja's house?

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This section contains 565 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample