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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. Because of the war with India Mr. Pirzada does not hear from his family for how many months?

2. What do Lilia and Dora dress up as for Halloween?

3. What do the excited Das children see from the car as they drive through India?

4. What is Lilia's mother's occupation?

5. What did Lilia stop doing each night so as not to ruin her prayer for Mr. Pirzada's family?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is the electricity being turned off in Shoba and Shukumar's neighborhood in "A Temporary Matter"?

2. Why isn't Mrs. Dalal pleased with what Mr. Dalal does for her when he gets a promotion?

3. What does Mr. Kapasi think of Mr. and Mrs. Das as parents?

4. What happens when Mr. Pirzada asks what the large orange vegetables are that he sees on porches?

5. What would Mr. Kapasi like to be doing for work?

6. What secret does Mina Das reveal to Mr. Kapasi?

7. Why does Lilia say a prayer for Mr. Pirzada's family?

8. What are the national distinctions between Pakistan and India that Lilia is unaware of?

9. What does Shoba tell Shukumar on the night the power is restored?

10. What is similar between the Das marriage and the Kapasi marriage?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss how the narrator in "The Third and Final Continent is an archetype of the male Indian-American immigrant and the irony presented by the dream he has for his son.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the imagery presented by buildings, houses and monuments in all the stories.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the characters of Boori Ma and Bibi Haldar. What did each of them represent in society?

(see the answer keys)

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