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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. Why doesn't Maa Kamala allow Koly to go to Mala's party?

2. What does Koly tell Chandra she wants to do during Chandra's first visit home after her marriage?

3. Why does Sass say that she and Koly should stop in Vrindavan on their way to Delhi?

4. Who gives Tanu and Koly the beads to make into bangles?

5. What does the benefactor of the widow's home comment on when she is given a tour by Tanu and Koly?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain why Sass sells her house.

2. Describe Koly's first day of work stringing marigolds.

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

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

5. How does the rickshaw driver help Koly in Chapter 8?

6. Describe Sass's behavior on the train ride to her brother's home.

7. Describe Koly's introduction to Maa Kamala's home.

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Sass is depicted as the epitome of an evil mother-in-law, while Sassur seems to be the stereotypical weak husband who lets his wife make all the decisions.

1) What would happen differently in the story if Sass was kind and yielding, and Sassur bitter and resentful toward Koly?

2) What positive outcomes are there for Koly that stem from negative events between her and Sass? Be specific.

3) Sass and Koly end up in the same position, as widows, yet Sass does not seem to soften her heart to Koly at all. Does Sass deserve to end up in this position? What do you predict lies in her future?

Essay Topic 3

Quilts and saris represent femininity and elegance in a world that otherwise dismisses any female as being of little value. Compare Koly's life to a quilt or a sari. Explain why you chose the item you did.

(see the answer keys)

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