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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 honor did Raja receive in school?

2. How does Bim now see the pattern of her life?

3. Where did Bakul and Tara meet?

4. In her mind, what does Bim compare Bakul and Tara, the Misras, Raja and his family to?

5. How did the climate affect the children?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Bim remember the incident where she was stung by bees?

2. Why does Tara want Bim and Baba to go to the wedding of Raja's daughter?

3. How was Mira treated by her dead husband's family?

4. 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?

5. Why did Tara think her father was trying to kill her mother?

6. How was Baba different?

7. Describe the children's mother

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

9. How does Tara see their childhood?

10. What is symbolic about Tara holding Bim's hand on the day of their departure?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose one of the predominant themes of this novel and explore how the author presented the theme via dialogue, symbolism, characters, etc.

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

How does Tara's relationship with Aunt Mira differ with those of Bim and Raja and Aunt Mira?

(see the answer keys)

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