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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. In Part II, Chapter 4, how often did Nand ask Raka where she had been when she would disappear for hours?

2. Where does Asha’s daughter live with her husband and daughter?

3. What is the name of the house Nanda lives in in Kasauli?

4. What does Ram Lal tell Raka the factories she sees are called?

5. What does Ram Lal suggest he cook for Raka in Chapter 9?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Nanda reading in Part I, Chapter 8 and what does it say?

2. When Nanda receives the letter, how does she think she will respond regardless of the request?

3. Why does Nanda send Ram Lal to the taxi stand to meet Raka when she first arrives rather than going herself?

4. In Chapter 1, why does Nanda Kaul hope the postman does not stop at her house?

5. What does Ram Lal tell Raka about the snake she tells him she saw in Part II, Chapter 6?

6. What does the name Raka mean, and how does Nanda feel about that at the start of Part II?

7. Describe Nanda’s feelings toward Ila Das based on their phone call in Part I, Chapter 6?

8. Though Raka has heard of the beauty of the Himalayas she is surprised nobody ever told her of the factory she sees from her window. What is the factory called and what does Ram Lal tell Raka about it?

9. How does Nanda feel at the end of Part I about the possibility of Ila Das visiting Carignano?

10. What does Ram Lal tell Raka of the house that had burned in a forest fire in a the end of Part II, Chapter 6?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Though the majority of the novel is written from Nanda’s perspective, the author employs omniscient narration, showing the reader the thoughts of experience of another character. Write an essay about why Anita Desai may have chosen to do this and whether you think it is effective or not.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay about Ram Lal and Nanda’s relationship. Use direct examples from the text to support your view.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay analyzing the theme of solitude in the novel. What events, characters or symbols does the author use to develop this theme.

(see the answer keys)

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