View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How old is Kamakshi when the reader first meets her?

2. Who does Atilla bother the most as a puppy?

3. Why does Shanta's teacher let her go home early?

4. What skill does Iyer lie to the newcomer on the train about having?

5. After he retires, what does Govind Singh receive each month from his employer?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does the boy go back to get Naga?

2. Why does Thanappa hide some of the mail for Ramanujan's family?

3. Why does the talkative man think his luck has changed in "Engine Trouble"?

4. What act finally causes Swami to get caned by his teacher?

5. Why does the cobbler refuse the gift the hippie offers as he leaves?

6. Why does Iyer lose his confidence while standing up to the newcomer on the train?

7. Why is Rama's business insecure?

8. Why is the talkative man unable to run over the swami?

9. Why does Dr. Raman change his rule about being honest when it comes to his friend Gopal's medical situation?

10. What leads to Iswaren's death?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Using direct evidence from the text, write a paper arguing that the short story "Selvi" does or does not fit in with the larger novel. Does its theme connect to the larger theme of "Malgudi Days"? Are the characters similar to other characters? Does the writing style and literary devices used reflect the rest of the text?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Narayan's treatment of death and dying through the experiences of at least 3 characters from "Malgudi Days."

Essay Topic 3

In a well-written essay, 1) discuss what message you think Narayan is trying to convey to his reader about fate, 2) at least 2 literary devices Narayan uses to support this position, and 3) whether or not you agree with Narayan's take on fate.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 841 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample