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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 does the policeman tell Pari when she threatens to expose the terrible conditions of the prison?

2. What happens to Chandni's Ma at the police station?

3. What does Jai call the dog he tries to befriend in Part III?

4. What does Jai's mother tell him she has to go to work after all in Part IV?

5. What does Jai tell Runu when she tells him not to wait for her to walk home from school together?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are the rumors Jai starts hearing about Aanchal?

2. What does Papa tell Quarter in Part IV that takes courage?

3. What do some Hindus, including the pradhan, say about Muslims in Part IV?

4. What deal do Runu-Didi and Jai make in Part IV?

5. Why are Jai's and Runu-Didi's parents angry with them towards the end of Part III?

6. In the section in Part III that explains what happened to Aanchal, what made her very uncomfortable on the night she disappeared?

7. What does Runu-Didi tell Jai about why someone is stealing so many children, and how does he react?

8. Why does Khadifa resent her brother Kabir in Part IV?

9. Why does Papa hit Runu-Didi in Part IV?

10. Why is Papa increasingly frustrated with Jai in Part IV?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why do you think Anappara chooses to begin this novel with the story of Mental and the supposed ability of his ghost to save children from terrible fates? Write an essay explaining your answers.

Essay Topic 2

Anappara writes this novel with a great degree of humor and empathy, but ultimately, its plot points and characters lead to heartbreaking conclusions. How does her main protagonist, Jai, change over the course of the novel, particularly after the disappearance of his sister Runi-Didi? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

In what specific situations and contexts do young female characters in this novel feel that they are disadvantaged, treated unfairly, and/or discriminated against because of their gender? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

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