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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 happens to the dowry Papa gives a suitor for Uma?

2. When does Mira-Masi occasionally appear at Uma's home?

3. Who often give Uma something to add to her collection?

4. Why does Uma's world suddenly brighten one day in Chapter 5?

5. Why do Mama and Papa travel to the city after reading the newspaper?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who does Uma call in Chapter 9, and what is the outcome?

2. How does Uma feel about her eligibility for marriage and how is she expected to act?

3. How do Aruna's wedding plans differ from those taken when Uma was to marry?

4. How do Uma and Aruna feel about Anamika's engagement?

5. How does Mama and Papa's moods affect the rest of the household?

6. What does Mama do each day to prepare Papa for the day?

7. What makes one possible husband for Uma not ideal, but why do Mama and Papa decide to negotiate anyway?

8. How does Uma and her family learn that the prospective groom is not interested in Uma?

9. What happens when Aruna comes of age for marriage?

10. Who are the main Indian characters?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Chapter 4 is important because of the presence of Mira-Masi, a strong female character, in Uma's life. Uma is not quite sure why Mira-Masi's visits have always been so appealing, but she begins to understand that Mira-Masi represents an independent female figure that is very rare in Indian society and culture.

a) Do you think Mira-Masi could have done more to help Uma? Why or why not?

b) How did visits from Mira-Masi change Uma?

c) Discuss ways in which Mira-Masi might have been able to use her position in India to help change the plight of women in that country.

Essay Topic 2

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss three of the following:

a) Fully explain why you think Fasting, Feasting is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

b) How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book?

c) Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content?

d) Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

Essay Topic 3

Chapter 6 makes very clear the questionable prospects of young girls who are married off to seemingly suitable husbands. Anamika's fate is sealed at the hands of her abusive husband and mother-in-law. She cannot leave the marriage because leaving would bring shame on her own family according to Indian culture. Even Uma notes the irony in the situation that the beautiful and gifted Anamika, to whom life has always been kind, suffers a miserable fate, even more miserable than the suffocating and hopeless existence lived by Uma.

a) Do you think arranged marriages should be legal? Why or why not? Use examples from Fasting, Feasting to support your answer.

b) Discuss the concept of family honor in the context of Anamika leaving her marriage. Use examples from Fasting, Feasting to support your answer.

c) Compare and contrast Anamika’s fate with Uma’s fate.

(see the answer keys)

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