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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 are some of the things that Koly does after Chandra leaves to try and please Sass?

2. Why does Raji tell Koly he is living in the city?

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

4. Why does Sass sell her house?

5. What does Koly think of her first job in Vrindavan?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain why Sassur stops reading the Tagore book?

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

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

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

5. Who is Mala and what is she like?

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

7. Explain Sassur's feelings regarding computers.

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

9. Describe Koly's first night in Vrindavan after Sass abandons her.

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

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

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 3

Finances and money dictate the lives of the majority of characters in this novel. From the viewpoint of the impact of money, answer the questions below.

1) How does a dowry work for and against the characters in the story? How does it work for or against this society overall?

2) Explain the attitude toward women and work in Koly's society. Choose a character and explain how that attitude impacts her life.

3) Compare and contrast the economic situation in Koly's society to that of your own. Describe the similarities and differences and where you believe they come from. How would Koly's story be different if taken out of the context of her location?

(see the answer keys)

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