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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. Where does Baba get the gramophone?

2. Bakul is waiting for them on the veranda. What music greets the sisters when they join Bakul?

3. Who does Bim choose to speak to rather than the Misras brothers and sisters?

4. Why does Dr. Biswas think Bim is not interested in his courtship?

5. What does Bim give Baba by way of apology for driving him out of the house that morning?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Bim's conversation with the elder Misras important to the plot?

2. What are some of the basic differences between Tara and Bim? Examine their appearance, their attitudes, their sense of family.

3. What is Tara's purpose in coming to the family home?

4. Describe Aunt Mira's behavior in this chapter.

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

6. 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?

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

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

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

10. Why are Muslims no longer safe in India? What has caused this problem?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why does Bim tell Tara to ask Raja to come see her and Baba, rather than Bim and Baba traveling to see Raja?

Essay Topic 2

What is the symbolism of the cow in the plot? Does it represent the innocence of the children, the indentured servitude of Aunt Mira, lost hopes, or is it just a cow?

Essay Topic 3

Tara and Bim are sisters, but their personalities are very different. Describe each of the sisters and compare them in the following ways:

1) visions of the future

2) learning and school

3) handling adversity

4) finding love and happiness in their lives

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 609 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample