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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 item disappears from Mr. Das's place when the Shrew is working on it?

2. Where does Koly go when she sneaks away from Maa Kamala's to meet Raji?

3. What happens when Koly visits the government office in Vrindavan during her first week in the city?

4. What does Chandra tell Koly about her new husband?

5. After Mr. Das chastises Koly for copying someone else's design, what does she embroider for him?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain why Sassur stops reading the Tagore book?

2. Explain how Tagore is important to Koly in Chapter 9.

3. Describe Chandra's feelings about her marriage in Chapter 7.

4. Describe the service run by Maa Kamala's.

5. Describe Koly's first day at Mr. Das's shop.

6. How and why does Koly try to please Sass after Chandra is gone?

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

8. Describe Raji's plans for the future as he describes them to Koly in Chapter 9.

9. Describe the room that Koly stays in at Maa Kamala's.

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Koly shows courage in spite of the obstacles she faces in the novel.

1) At what point does Koly show the most courage? Justify your response.

2) Is there a difference between courage and survival instinct? Explain your answer and give examples of both in the novel.

3) Where does Koly get her courage from? Give three examples of her acting with courage and the result that occurs.

(see the answer keys)

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