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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 Jal share with Yezad and Roxana after Coomy's death?

2. Why does Yezad have trouble finding another job?

3. What does Yezad do when Vilas tries to tell him about one of his recent clients?

4. What dream does Nariman have that causes him to wake up screaming?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. As the family leaves Pleasant Villa for the last time, Roxana and Jehangir look out the car window and see the same bird, but each one interprets it differently. How do Roxana and Jehangir see the bird differently?

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

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

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

5. In what ways do Jal and Yezad begin to act differently after Coomy and Kapur's deaths?

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

7. What are some of Yezad's thoughts and actions in Chapter 15 that show he is changing?

8. What happens to Yezad's work situation after Kapur's death?

9. What excuses do Roxana and Yezad make for Jehangir when his teacher tells them Jehangir has been taking bribes as homework monitor? How is Jehangir punished?

10. How does Yezad's plan to coerce Kapur to run for municipal council backfire?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

At the beginning of the story, Yezad scoffs at Coomy's religious practices, but has done a complete turn-around by the end of the story. Trace the changes in Yezad throughout the story, focusing on what caused him to change and whether you think he was always sincere in his beliefs.

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

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.

(see the answer keys)

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