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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 is Papa so angry when the arranged marriage for Uma falls through?

2. Where does Uma accompany Mira-Masi when the old woman visits?

3. Why does Uma seldom have privacy anymore by Chapter 4?

4. What is the result of the birth of Arun on Mama's position in the community?

5. What is Papa's vocation?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Mira-Masi tell Uma one day about the mark of the Lord, and how does Uma react?

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

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

4. How does Uma feel about Mira-Masi?

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

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

7. Who are the main Indian characters?

8. How does Aruna feel about Uma's lack of marriage prospects?

9. How do Uma and Aruna respond to news of their mother's pregnancy?

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

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?

Essay Topic 2

Foreshadowing is used in almost all works of fiction. Discuss the following:

a) What is foreshadowing? How many incidences of foreshadowing are in Fasting, Feasting? How does foreshadowing contribute to a book's suspense?

b) Discuss an example of foreshadowing in “Fasting, Feasting” including why you believe it is foreshadowing.

Essay Topic 3

Characters are an important part of what makes Fasting, Feasting interesting. Discuss any two of the following:

a) Thoroughly discuss and analyze Uma. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

b) Thoroughly discuss and analyze Arun. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

c) Thoroughly discuss and analyze Uma’s father. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

d) Thoroughly discuss and analyze Uma’s mother. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

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