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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 old is Philipose when a YMCA and YWCA are established in Parambil?

2. How old is Philipose when he goes off to study at Madras Christian College?

3. In 1934, how often does Digby operate with Ravichandran at General Hospital to further his surgical education?

4. How many acres of tea and rubber is Chandy rumored to have?

5. What type of car is Claude Arnold driving in 1935?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why and how does Digby's mother die?

2. In Chapter 4, what does Ammachi's husband do when he sees a young man knock over a burden stone?

3. How does Big Appachen get sick a few weeks after Philipose is born?

4. Why does Elsie agree to marry Philipose?

5. Why did Digby decide to go to India?

6. Why does Philipose hesitate to cut down the tree Elsie wants cut down?

7. Who is the Uplift Master, and how does he improve the area?

8. What does Big Ammachi learn about her mother and daughter when she goes to see Dr. Rune Orqvist?

9. Why does Philipose decide he wants to marry Elsie, Chandy's daughter?

10. Why does Ammachi worry about Philipose after he leaves for college in Madras?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Idioms are words that have a figurative, rather than a literal meaning. How does Verghese use idioms in The Covenant of Water? Why are the idioms sometimes difficult to understand? Why do the idioms often require research to understand their meaning? How do idioms help create word pictures and mental images for readers in a concise manner? How do idioms help readers understand characters, emotions, and ideas?

Essay Topic 2

Ammachi is raised as a St. Thomas Christian. However, she also believes in ghosts and superstitious practices. How are religion and superstition intertwined in Ammachi’s life?

Essay Topic 3

An allusion is a figure of speech that does not directly refer to a person, place, or thing. What are some allusions in The Covenant of Water? Why might it be difficult to decipher an allusion just by the context of a passage in a book? How do the allusions Verghese uses help readers’ understanding of people, events, or concepts in the book?

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This section contains 961 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample