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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 Melanie do when she sees Arun walk up to her in the woods?

2. What was difficult for Arun during his first year at school?

3. Around what does Rod Patton's life revolve?

4. What does Arun begin to do in order to be more like Americans?

5. About what does Mrs. O'Henry ask Uma?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Arun go with Mrs. Patton and Melanie to the swim hole even though he does not wish to do so?

2. What is Arun's reaction to his first trip to the grocery store with Mrs. Patton?

3. Describe Arun's first encounter with Melanie Patton.

4. What does Melanie say in Chapter 25 about her mother's sunbathing?

5. Why does Arun enter the water so quickly despite not being able to swim well?

6. What does Arun try to get the courage to tell Mrs. Patton?

7. What do Arun and Mrs. Patton have in common?

8. How do Mama and Papa respond to Uma's outburst in Chapter 12?

9. What does Mrs. Joshi suggest that Uma consider, and what are Uma's thoughts about it?

10. What does Arun discover when he takes a walk into the woods?

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

Discuss the following:

a) What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

b) Write a brief synopsis of the plot of Fasting, Feasting, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

c) Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in Fasting, Feasting. (The subplots may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

a) Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

b) What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of Fasting, Feasting and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why Fasting, Feasting is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

c) Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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