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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 best describes Mala?

2. Why does Maa Kamala keep half of Koly's pay?

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

4. Who sends a letter to Sass in Chapter 7?

5. What does Koly do each morning after Chandra is gone?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. Describe the two friends that Koly finds in Chapter 6.

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

6. Who is Mala and what is she like?

7. Explain why Sass sells her house.

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Consider the impact of good health and illness on the plot line of the story. At what points in the novel does the health of a character result in a major change in the direction of the story? Do any of the characters have choices in the occurrence or in the direction that their lives took at this point? Explain why or why not. Is health or financial status more important to the outcomes of the lives of the characters in this novel? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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