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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. Where does Sampath fall asleep in Chapter 6?

2. What brings Sampath joy in Chapter 2?

3. What kind of books does Mr. Chawla buy in Chapter 1?

4. Why did Miss Jyotsna have to get new clothes?

5. When living in the tree, how does Sampath get food at first?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does the reporter from the atheist society think Sampath might be on drugs, and what does the reporter decide to do?

2. How does Pinky feel about what sections her father reads in the newspaper? What does she find interesting in the news?

3. In Chapter 7, how does Sampath end up being considered a wise man?

4. In Chapter 8, how is the Chawla family taking care of Sampath in the tree?

5. How does Pinky feel about all the attention given to her brother? What happens when she goes to the bazaar, and what does Mr. Chawla tell her to do about it?

6. How does Sampath amaze Jyotsna with his knowledge?

7. Who helps Kulfi deliver her baby? What is distinguishing about the baby? What is he named?

8. What does Sampath do during the night in Chapter 2? What does he see in the morning? What does his grandmother say to him in the morning?

9. What does Mr. Chawla do in the mornings before work? What is he like with his family in the mornings?

10. What happens at the moment of Kulfi’s baby’s birth?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Symbolism is one way for an author to convey big ideas and concepts to readers.

Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in Hullabaloo in the Guava Orchard. Are these universal symbols that would have the same meaning in any culture? What other symbols could portray the same idea? Why do you think Desai chooses the symbols he does? Consider symbols such as the guava tree, the monkey troupe, and the Hungry Hop boy, and Kulfi’s hunger.

Essay Topic 2

At the wedding party, Sampath attempts to find a new identity and leave his old, unhappy life behind him. By mooning his boss and the wedding guests, Sampath is showing his true feelings about them--that is, total disregard.

Why do you think Sampath chooses the wedding as the starting point for his rebellion against his life? How might a wedding be symbolic of a new start for Sampath? Do you think his method of demonstrating how he feels about his boss and the guests at the wedding is immature? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Kulfi is a strange woman who is obsessed with food, as a symbol of a hunger inside of her that has not been met. Part of her hunger may stem from the relationship with her husband that does not seem to be fulfilling.

What do you think is the meaning of the above statement? How might Kulfi’s obsession with food relate to addiction? Why might eating seem to relieve some of Kulfi’s dissatisfaction with her life and her husband?

(see the answer keys)

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