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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. How does Aunt Mira treat Baba?

2. What do the children do every evening?

3. Which of the children grew up to become exactly what they said they wanted to be as a child?

4. At what age was Aunt Mira widowed?

5. Who was called to care for Baba when the mother grew tired of him?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Tara see Aunt Mira?

2. How did Tara remember the incident when Bim was stung by bees?

3. Why does the author use the episodes of the mad dog, the young teacher, and the bees to describe Tara's character?

4. Describe the children's mother

5. On page 115, the children ask Mira why their parents play cards, and Mira thinks the answer is obvious. What do you think is the reason?

6. Describe the word games the children played to pass the time.

7. What difference does Aunt Mira make in Baba's life?

8. Why is the episode with the cow so important to this novel?

9. Describe Raja in Bim's eyes until this chapter begins.

10. Describe Aunt Mira as she is in this chapter

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The children are present on the banks of the Jumna River when Hyder Ali Sahib rides by on his fine white horse. How do each of the children remember this incident, and how does it affect them? Describe it from the viewpoint of Raja, Bim, Tara and Baba.

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

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?

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This section contains 606 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample