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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 Yezad think of as he sits with Nariman in the evening?

2. What two things bring Yezad comfort as the story nears its end?

3. Why is the store closed when Yezad returns to work the day after Coomy's funeral?

4. What is the good omen that Roxana sees as the family leaves Pleasant Villa?

5. What does Jehangir have to do after putting old and wrinkled money in the budget envelopes?

Short Essay Questions

1. What can we learn about the relationship between Roxana and Yezad when Yezad tells Roxana he lost their money playing Matka?

2. What does Yezad ask Vilas to do about the Christmas decorations, and what is Vilas' reaction?

3. What is significant about the introduction of Daisy Ichamora to Nariman?

4. What changes in behavior does Kapur make in order to become more like the common people?

5. What did Murad do in order to have enough money to buy Christmas presents for his family?

6. What does Yezad learn when he calls Mr. Kapur to say he will not be in to work because of Coomy's death?

7. How does Jal try to placate Edul Munshi's wife while Edul finishes the work in Jal and Coomy's apartment?

8. What impact does Mr. Kapur's decision about running for municipal council have on Yezad?

9. What effect has acting as homework monitor had on Jehangir?

10. Describe why both Roxana and Yezad are puzzled about the amount of money in the budget envelopes.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

For most of the story, Coomy seems to be the controlling factor among all the characters. Is Coomy truly concerned about her family? Is she materialistic? Nurturing? Selfish? All of the above? Focusing on Coomy's personality and the way she interacts with others, write a character description of Coomy.

Essay Topic 2

Briefly research the history of Bombay/Mumbai and tell how the social struggle over the name change compares to the struggles within the Vakeel and Chenoy families.

Essay Topic 3

The author of Family Matters uses flashback to fill in parts of the story. Through whose eyes do we experience the flashbacks and how are they important to the story? Do the flashbacks help you learn any more about the character than what the front story tells? Is this a useful technique to employ in this story? Why/why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 910 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample