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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. Rukmani is keeping a secret from her husband. What is her secret?

2. How long is Rukmani in the Nathan's village before finally meeting some of the other women?

3. What is Rukmani doing when she first meets the other women in Nathan's village?

4. When the two women meet in the village late one night, what does Kunthi accuse Rukmani of?

5. What do Rukmani and her mother do whenever Rukmani travels back to her childhood home?

Short Essay Questions

1. At the end of the strike's first week, what do the tannery officials announce?

2. Why do Rukmani and Nathan not stay with Murugan's wife?

3. What is a negative consequence of the construction workers suddenly appearing in the village?

4. At the beginning of Chapter 28, Rukmani is very excited. Why?

5. Why does Kenny think Selvam would be a good assistant?

6. Why are Rukmani and Nathan shocked when they discover their bundles have been stolen?

7. Why is Rukmani disappointed when she sees her first-born child?

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

9. When Rukmani and Nathan awaken from their first night's sleep in the city, why do they not eat breakfast before heading out to find their son?

10. Why does Old Granny die alone?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Rukmani meets three women at the brook doing laundry shortly after her arrival in the village. These women become important to Rukmani and we see them time and time again throughout our story. Identify and describe these three women. Compare and contrast the three of them with Rukmani.

Essay Topic 2

Both Ira and Kunthi turn to prostitution to earn money.

a. Describe Ira's motives for prostituting her body.

b. Describe Kunthi's motives for prostituting her body.

c. Do their motives make their actions any less objectionable? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Rukmani and Nathan travel to the city to find their son. Instead of finding their son, however, they find his wife and learn that their son has deserted her. Ammu is now a single mother, as is Ira back in the village. Single parenthood drastically changes both of their lives.

a. Compare and contrast the lives of Ammu and Ira as single parents.

b. Compare and contrast single parenthood in the novel and in our society.

c. How did living in the city versus being in the village impact the situations of both Ammu and Ira?

(see the answer keys)

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