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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 does Siddiqui tell Deven he cannot give up on his interview with Nur?

2. What does Sarla ask Deven when she overheard Jayadev telling him of the rumor going around about his trips to Delhi?

3. Where does Nur's friend tel Deven Nur had met Imtiaz?

4. What family plans does Deven break in order to interview Nur at the end of Chapter 8?

5. In what way was Deven's friendship with Raj different than his friendship with Murad?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who does Jain send with Deven to help edit his tapes? Is he helpful?

2. Why does Deven feel an odd sense of relief in Chapter 10 when he realizes Murad will no longer help him?

3. What information does Nur's first wife want Deven to include in his letter to her telling her when he can interview Nur?

4. Describe Deven and Sarla's conversation about the fact that he no longer goes to Delhi at the start of Chapter 8.

5. What does Deven see as his role in regard to Nur at the end of the novel? How does he decide to meet the challenges he knows lay ahead?

6. Who is Chiku and what does Jain say he will do for Deven?

7. Instead of getting a hotel, with whom does Deven stay while he is interviewing Nur? How does he know this person? How is this person described?

8. Why does Deven call Murad in a panic the first time he meets with Nur in the room Nur's wife had arranged? How does Murad help Deven?

9. What errors does Chiku make as the person in charge of recording Nur's interview?

10. Who is Jayadev and what does he say to Deven at the annual board meeting, which Sarla overhears?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Even though this novel has many characters, what makes Deven the protagonist of this novel? Compare his role in the novel to definitions of protagonists.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay analyzing color imagery in In Custody. Indicate examples of imagery in the text and identify possible meanings.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay examining the Urdu language as a symbol in In Custody. In what scenes is Urdu discussed? What is the context? How does the dying Urdu language develop the narrative?

(see the answer keys)

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