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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. How many nights does the monsoon last?

2. How old is Rukmani when she marries Nathan?

3. When Rukmani begins taking better care of herself and leaving more of the farming work to Nathan, what does she do in her spare time?

4. Right after the monsoons end, Rukmani and Nathan venture into town to purchase rice for the family. Why do they return empty handed?

5. What does Ira wear on her wedding day?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What realization does Rukmani find ironic as she mourns for Old Granny?

3. Why do Rukmani and Nathan not immediately return to their village after learning that Murugan cannot be found?

4. Why do the villagers travel to Rukmani's home to see Ira's new child?

5. Why does Rukmani's mother never reproach her for the long intervals between Rukmani's visits home?

6. After marrying Nathan and moving to his village, how does Rukmani react when she first sees her new home?

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

8. With only three weeks until the rice is ready for harvesting, what is Rukmani most afraid of regarding Kuti?

9. When Arjun and Thambi return home from the tannery after Rukmani and Nathan could not find them for lunch, what do Rukmani and Nathan learn about the day's trouble?

10. What do both Nathan and Kenny tell Rukmani regarding Ira's child and they manner in which it was conceived?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There were a number of coping methods that helped the various characters in the story deal with situations in their lives. How did the following people cope? Be sure to describe a particular situation in the story and tell how they dealt with the situation.

a. Rukmani

b. Ira

c. Kunthi

d. Kenny

Essay Topic 2

The opening of the tannery impacts life in the village in many ways, both positive and negative.

a. Describe three positive and three negative impacts the tannery has on the village.

b. Describe three impacts the tannery has personally on Rukmani.

c. In Rukmani's opinion, what is the biggest positive consequence of the tannery's opening?

d. In Rukmani's opinion, what is the biggest negative consequence of the tannery's opening?

e. Do you agree with Rukmani's opinions (your answers to c & d)? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Rukmani's parents arrange her marriage to Nathan.

a. Why do her parents select Nathan as her husband?

b. Why is her mother upset with their choice of Nathan?

c. What is the economic impact of the arranged marriage, for Nathan, for Rukmani, and for her parents?

(see the answer keys)

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