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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 Koly embroider on the quilt that she makes for Chandra's wedding gift?

2. Why is Koly not allowed to help Chandra dress on her wedding day?

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

4. How does Koly feel about the silver earrings after learning how her widow's pension has been used?

5. How does Sassur help Koly after Hari's death?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is the role of women in India at this time depicted in Koly's role at Chandra's wedding?

2. Explain what Koly's daydreams consist of in Chapter 4, after Hari's death.

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

4. Explain how Hari and Koly bond in their short first meeting.

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

6. Why is Chandra impressed by the qualifications of her intended husband?

7. Describe the events that lead up to an envelope with Koly's name arriving at the Mehta's house each month.

8. What is Koly's impression of Varanasi?

9. What is Koly's relationship with Sassur like in Chapter 4, after Hari's death?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The metaphor of Koly as a homeless bird has significance in many places of the story. Choose one of the options below to write about.

1) Analyze the use of animals in the novel to symbolize Koly's plight, to ease her loneliness, and to serve other purposes.

2) Choose two other characters and use a metaphor to describe their situations in the story. Use examples to explain your choices.

3) Describe how Koly's journey towards freedom required her to break out of many cages.

Essay Topic 2

Consider the use of irony and foreshadowing with the following events:

1) Sass's abandonment of Koly.

2) Koly's desire to run away from her marriage and from Sass's home.

3) Sassur's decision to break tradition and teach Koly to read.

Essay Topic 3

Foreshadowing is used throughout the novel. Select one of the following questions to answer:

1) Discuss examples of foreshadowing involving Raji, Hari, and Koly.

2) What items or objects in the story have foreshadowing linked to them? Choose three items (like the Tagore book, the earrings, a quilt, the rickshaw...) and explain with details.

3) What foreshadowing is evident with these characters: Mala, Sassur, Koly, Mr. Das, Sass, Raji, Hari, Chandra?

(see the answer keys)

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