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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 surprises and confuses Koly on her ride with the benefactor of the widow's home the day after that lady comments on her good embroidery skills?

2. Why does Sassur stop reading Tagore's poems after Chandra is gone?

3. What importance do the bandicoot and stray dog have for Koly in Chapter 6?

4. What does the rickshaw driver at the train station tell Koly?

5. What does Koly see at Mala's apartment?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the importance of Koly's visit to the government office in Chapter 6?

2. Describe Koly's financial situation in Chapter 8.

3. Explain how Koly ends up in possession of the Tagore book.

4. Explain why Sassur stops reading the Tagore book?

5. Describe the losses Koly attempts to deal with in Chapter 6.

6. Describe how Koly's feelings of loneliness change after moving in to Maa Kamala's.

7. Describe Koly and Sass's first interaction with the rickshaw driver.

8. Explain why the benefactor funds the widow's home where Koly stays.

9. What happens on the day that Koly sees the rickshaw driver at the train station, before he brings her to the widow's home?

10. What happens when Koly cannot find Sass at the temple after taking the 50 rupees to buy lunch?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The children in Koly's culture are expected to grow up and take on adult roles at a very young age.

1) Give two examples that show that Koly is not mature enough to handle the situations she finds herself in.

2) Give two examples that show that Koly is mature enough to handle the situations she finds herself in.

3) Give at least two examples that show the adults in the story are unable to handle the situations they find themselves in.

How much impact do age, maturity, experience, and character have in determining a person's ability to deal with adversity?

Essay Topic 2

Imagine that the story has taken some different turns and answer the questions below with support for your conclusion:

1) What would have happened if Koly had not traded the silver earrings for the Tagore book?

2) What would have happened if Koly took her pension money back from Chandra's dowry?

3) What would have happened if Koly did not have the ability to embroider?

Essay Topic 3

In this novel, Koly is a part of many traditions, but she also acts in ways that are contrary to traditions of the time and place.

1) How do Koly's actions support a belief that traditions are important? Give at least three examples and justify your answer.

2) How do Koly's actions support a belief that traditions are less important than some other value in her life? Define that value and support your answer.

3) How does Koly's acceptance or rejection of certain traditions help or hurt her in the story? Give at least three examples with evidence.

(see the answer keys)

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