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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How far have the construction workers traveled to reach the village?
(a) Two weeks.
(b) One hundred miles.
(c) Seventy kilometers.
(d) Three days.

2. How long is Rukmani in the Nathan's village before finally meeting some of the other women?
(a) Three weeks.
(b) One week.
(c) Fifteen days.
(d) Three days.

3. In Chapter 12, Rukmani also learns that Selvam is leaving the village. What is his new job?
(a) He is a brick layer.
(b) He is a farmer.
(c) He is a tannery official.
(d) He is a servant.

4. Who helps Selvam obtain his new position?
(a) Kenny.
(b) Biswas.
(c) Arjun.
(d) Kunthi.

5. What do Rukmani and her mother do whenever Rukmani travels back to her childhood home?
(a) Laugh about Rukmani's earlier exploits.
(b) Visit the temple to pray.
(c) Complain about Rukmani's living conditions.
(d) Visit with the neighbors.

Short Answer Questions

1. Nathan hangs a garland of mango leaves across the doorway to welcome Rukmani to her new house. What do the mango leaves symbolize?

2. Why does Rukmani begin selling her vegetables to Biswas instead of to Old Granny?

3. At the beginning of Chapter 5, what does Kenny do for the first time?

4. At the beginning of Chapter 11, why does Nathan leave the village?

5. Which of Rukmani's sons always has a book or two nearby and has learned to read and write to a far greater level that what his mother taught him?

Short Essay Questions

1. Is the strike successful? Why or why not?

2. Why does Selvam's decision to work with Kenny disappoint Nathan?

3. At the beginning of Chapter 2, Nathan becomes angry with Rukmani for the first time ever. Why?

4. Kuti's condition is improving although there still is no food. Rukmani attributes his improvement to her prayers. What is actually causing his improvement?

5. The monsoon season strikes early. How does the village fair?

6. Where do Rukmani and Nathan find shelter the first night in the city? Why are they directed there?

7. The farmers gather dung from their fields early each morning. What is the dung used for?

8. Chapter 3 opens with the village women insisting Rukmani not worry about something. What is she worried about and why?

9. After being returned to her family by her husband, how is Ira welcomed back into the family?

10. What deal is struck between the landlord's assistant and Nathan?

(see the answer keys)

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