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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. Whose hut is completely destroyed by the monsoon?

2. Why does Rukmani take Ira to see Kenny?

3. What is the result of the strike for Arjun and Thambi?

4. What fruit does Rukmani first grow that earns Nathan's praise?

5. How does Old Granny make her living?

Short Essay Questions

1. On his deathbed, what does Nathan tell Rukmani to comfort her?

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

3. In Chapter 5 during one of Kenny's visits, he notices that Rukmani is still breast-feeding her three-year-old son. Why?

4. When Rukmani first meets the village doctor, why does she stare at him?

5. Describe the temperament of Nathan and Rukmani's daughter.

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

7. Why does Arjun go to work in the tannery?

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

9. What does the doctor tell Rukmani and Nathan about Murugan?

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

Puli plays a very important and pivotal role in the latter part of the story.

a. Why do Nathan and Rukmani become attached to Puli? How does Puli benefit from their relationship? How do Nathan and Rukmani benefit from their relationship?

b. Puli is both a hardened city dweller and a little boy at the same time. Describe incidents of each side of the boy.

c. The introduction of Puli to Rukmani's family is significant. How is Puli introduced to Rukmani's family and what is significant about the introduction?

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the story, we see Rukmani's inner strength as she deals with the various situations that arise in her life. Identify the difficult situations and discuss how Rukmani's strength helps her endure these situations at the following stages of her life:

a. The early days of her marriage, before Ira is born.

b. The days following the monsoon.

c. After Ira moves back in.

d. When their farm is sold.

e. When they are in the city.

Essay Topic 3

The book summary describes this story as the story of a woman "whose life was a gallant and persistent battle to care for those she loved."

a. Do you agree or disagree with that description? Why or why not?

b. Give three examples of how Rukmani's life was gallant.

c. What, in your opinion, gives Rukmani the strength to get up and face each day no matter what the circumstances are?

(see the answer keys)

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