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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 illness does Raja get that summer?

2. What childhood event do the Misras sisters remind Tara of that night?

3. What is the first discussion the sisters have that shows how different they are from each other?

4. What does Bim claim they do not have enough of for Bakul, yet she pours it generously for the cat and for Baba?

5. What disrupts the neighborhood gathering?

Short Essay Questions

1. What resulted from Raja's admiration of Hyder Ali Sahid?

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

3. How does Tara feel about her youth? What makes her feel that way?

4. Why is Tara so disturbed by Bim's remarks on the lawn with Bakul and the Misras?

5. 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?

6. How does Bim describe time? What do you think she means by this?

7. Describe the family home and the feeling you get about it.

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

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

10. Describe how Bim sees her brother's poems now.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the relationship between Bakul and Tara, using dialogue and action to make your points. In your opinion, did the marriage change when Tara realized how mistaken she had been about her family members all these years?

Essay Topic 2

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

Essay Topic 3

Raja admires Hyder Ali Sahib from the moment he first sees him. How did Hyder Ali Sahib's attention to the young Hindi man affect Raja's life?

(see the answer keys)

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