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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. The first time Ammachi takes her husband a lunch in the field, ow tall is the grass on the footpath?

2. If Dr. Ravichandran's mother knew he gave her food to patients in the septic ward, how long would she have to live on barley and ghee?

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

4. What handicap does Philipose have that might make it necessary for him to leave college?

5. What malady does Aavudainayaki suffer from in 1934?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does Ninan die?

3. How does Rune become friends with the Chandys?

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

5. What happens when Ammachi turns 16?

6. What is Mahabalipuram?

7. Who is Georgie and why does he live near Parambil?

8. Why did Digby decide to go to India?

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

10. Why does Ammachi's groom walk away when he sees her at their wedding, and why does he return?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

At first, Philipose is excited about going to college, but he gets anxious the closer it gets to having to leave. Why does Philipose anxious about going to college? What does his anxiousness reveal about his attachment to home?

Essay Topic 3

An analogy is the comparison of an unfamiliar object or idea to a familiar one in an attempt to explain the unfamiliar or to help readers understand characters, events, or concepts. What are some analogies Verghese uses in The Covenant of Water? How do these analogies help readers comprehend characters, events, or concepts?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 876 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample