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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. Which of the following is not part of the special greeting Murad and Jehangir share with Nariman?

2. What is the predominant mood of the dinner party?

3. In a flashback, Nariman recalls a person who makes him happy. Who is it?

4. When does Coomy intend to let Nariman come home?

5. Why is Jehangir's job as homework monitor in jeopardy?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is one of Coomy's worst fears and how is it realized?

2. Describe the living conditions for Nariman Vakeel at the beginning of the novel.

3. What is the significance of Yezad's visit to Villie Cardmaster?

4. What choices does Coomy make about caring for Nariman at home and why?

5. What type of person is Coomy?

6. Describe how Nariman's arrival changes things for the Chenoy family.

7. Describe Coomy's action and Nariman's reaction when Nariman asks Coomy to clean his teeth.

8. What do you learn about Coomy from her actions in Chapter 5?

9. What is the subject of Nariman's flashbacks, and why is mention of his flashbacks important to the story?

10. What effect is Nariman's prolonged stay having on Roxana and Yezad, and what does Nariman tell them to do about it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare the differences in Coomy, who seems to have everything, and Roxana, who has to scrape to get by. How does each woman relate to her family? Are the reasons for the differences caused by personality, social standing, security? Discuss which you think is the more balanced and happier of the two and tell why.

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the book there are references to the Parsi faith, to Shiv Sena, and to the conflict over changing Bombay to Mumbai. How much did these issues affect the lives of the people in the story, and how much do such issues affect everyday life? Use examples from history and/or current events to help you support your view.

Essay Topic 3

When using the good china for Murad's birthday reminds the family that one of Nariman's beliefs was that people should "take pleasure in the beautiful things to defeat the sadness and sorrow of life." How did Nariman live up to that belief? Did any other characters in the story follow his lead? How is that philosophy revealed throughout the story?

(see the answer keys)

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