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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 Chid wear?

2. Why is Mrs. Saunders ill when Olivia first meets her?

3. What best describes the royal tombs visited by the narrator in Section 13?

4. What does the palace watchman give to the narrator?

5. What does the narrator say she learns about the house where Olivia and Douglas used to live in the February 16th journal entry?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why don't Ritu's screams in Section 18 bother Chid?

2. Describe the narrator's clothing and her reasons for choosing them in Section 4.

3. Is Mrs. Saunders aware of Olivia's relationship with the Nawab in Section 24?

4. Describe the behavior and actions of the midwives during Olivia's abortion.

5. How does Chid treat the people and things in his life?

6. Describe the beggar the narrator notices and helps in Section 23.

7. Do you think Chid is a sadhu?

8. Describe the narrator's actions in the hospital ward that result in her being treated differently by the other people there.

9. Why does the Begum visit Olivia during the abortion?

10. Describe the narrator's first night, and impressions of, Bombay.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Much of Heat and Dust is the study of contrasts between the Eastern and Western cultures. Explore that concept as you answer these questions:

1) What preconceived notions do the English in Olivia's time bring with them to India that shape their experiences in that culture? Use at least 3 specific character examples in your answer.

2) How do the Nawab and Chid adapt to cultures that are different from the ones they were raised in? What effects do their actions have on them and on those around them?

3) How do Harry and Maji represent the clash of, or integration of, different cultures in this story?

Essay Topic 2

The power to change one's self and transform one's circumstances is a theme in Heat and Dust.

1) Explain how the dual stories of Olivia and the narrator reflect this theme.

2) Discuss the impact of setting and nature on a personal transformation in the story.

3) What one character transformation that did NOT occur in the story could have changed the entire course of the novel? Explain your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Consider the role of faith in Heat and Dust. Select one of the questions to analyze.

1) How does the narrator's faith or lack of faith impact her experiences and expectations in this story?

2) How does the narrator's faith in herself or in others change the direction of the novel at an important point or points?

3) Which character in the story has the strongest faith? The weakest?

(see the answer keys)

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