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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. Why does Anamika suffer a miscarriage?

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

3. What is the disposition of the man interested in marrying Uma?

4. How does Uma's mama respond to Uma's return?

5. What happens with Mira-Masi when she leaves Mama and Papa's home to go to the ashram?

Short Essay Questions

1. In the opening to the book, what does Uma do while her parents are sitting on the veranda?

2. What does Uma feel about the time she fell into the Ganges and was sinking?

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

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

5. How does Uma feel about Mira-Masi?

6. What is Uma's life like at the home of her new husband?

7. When does Uma realize what she has lost in leaving the ashram?

8. What is the atmosphere like at the Ashram that Mira-Masi and Uma travel to, and how does Uma feel about it?

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

10. What happens when Aruna comes to visit her family several years after her marriage?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

a) Compare/contrast the characters of Uma and Arun. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.

b) Compare/contrast the characters of Uma and Uma’s mother and father. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

c) Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in Fasting, Feasting help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

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

Discuss the following:

a) Who is/are the protagonists of Fasting, Feasting, and how do you determine this?

b) Who is/are the antagonists of Fasting, Feasting, and how do you determine this?

c) Which 3 secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot of Fasting, Feasting?

d) Are any of the characters in Fasting, Feasting dispensable? If so, which ones? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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