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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 phrase accompanied all of Boori Ma's stories?

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

3. How long ago did Shoba and Shukumar's baby die?

4. What is the name of Lilia's teacher?

5. Mr. Pirzada's daughters' names all start with what letter?

Short Essay Questions

1. What devastating secret does Shukumar tell Shoba during the telling game to hurt her?

2. Without the Dalals around to protect her, what happens to Boori Ma?

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

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

5. Who is Boori Ma and what does she do for a living?

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

7. What does Lilia do with the candy after Mr. Pirzada returns to Dacca?

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

9. How do the Das family look to Mr. Kapasi?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss how the "telling game" was used to further both the plot and the themes of "A Temporary Matter."

Essay Topic 2

What commentary on American life is Lahiri making through the plots and characters of her collection of stories?

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 947 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample