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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 does Mrs. Das call Mr. Kapasi's work as an interpreter?

2. What does Ronny Das want to give the goat he sees from the car window in "Interpreter of Maladies?"

3. How long has Shukumar been in graduate school?

4. Where does Boori Ma sleep?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Why does Shukumar not look forward to the weekends when Shoba is home?

4. What are the rituals Mr. Pirzada follows nightly?

5. What do Shoba and Shukumar tell each other the second night of the telling game?

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

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

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

9. What happens when Lilia returns from trick-or-treating?

10. What happens after Mr. Pirzada returns to Pakistan?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the theme of individuals in warring countries growing closer while their governments grow apart in "When Mr. Pirzada Came to Dine."

Essay Topic 2

Feeling like an outsider is a recurring theme in the stories. Discuss this theme and how is shown using aspects of three or more of the stories in The Interpreter of Maladies.

Essay Topic 3

What role does routine and ritual play in the stories? What is the impact on some of the characters in maintaining these long-established routines and ritual?

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