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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. How does Koly feel about not being allowed to help Chandra dress on her wedding day?

2. How does the crowd react as Hari's dead body is carried past?

3. Where are Hari's ashes scattered?

4. Where does Hari tell Koly his parents are planning to take him?

5. What makes Koly erupt in a coughing fit while Koly is sitting with him, after she gets permission from Sass to do so?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Koly's first meetings with her new family.

2. Explain Chandra's expectations of her family's trip to the Ganges River.

3. Describe Koly's first night in her new home after she is married.

4. Explain why Hari and his parents are arguing on Koly's second night in her new home.

5. Describe Koly's prospective husband and family, and explain why this is considered a good match.

6. Why does Sass treat Koly so poorly?

7. Explain how Koly's parents earn income for the family.

8. What happens when Koly and the Mehtas arrive in Varanasi that indicates that Mr. and Mrs. Mehta are embarrassed that they married Hari so young and for the money?

9. Explain the reaction of Koly's parents to their first meeting with the Mehtas.

10. Explain Koly''s reaction to hearing Sass and Sassur discuss the use of her widow's pension.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Consider the impact of good health and illness on the plot line of the story. At what points in the novel does the health of a character result in a major change in the direction of the story? Do any of the characters have choices in the occurrence or in the direction that their lives took at this point? Explain why or why not. Is health or financial status more important to the outcomes of the lives of the characters in this novel? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

The title Homeless Bird has much significance for Koly. Analyze the meaning of this title for the book, and to Koly. Consider the questions below when formulating your responses.

1)If the Tagore book was not included in the story, would this label have as strong a meaning?

2) What other events or objects in the story make this title significant?

3) What other titles could have been given to this novel?

Essay Topic 3

Ceremonies and rituals are important in Koly's culture.

1) What event in the story has the greatest impact on the plot line? Explain your answer.

2) Describe the rituals surrounding an event in the story. Explain why they are important to the people participating in them.

3) Explain why the temples and shrines served as a backdrop for so much of the story.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,162 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample