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

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is Puli?

2. How long does it actually take to complete the hospital?

3. Who is Brila?

4. Who do Rukmani and Nathan share their rice with at the temple?

5. While still living in the city, who do Rukmani and Nathan entrust their money to while they go to work each day?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the Indian village, daughters are seen as a burden, while sons are seen as a benefit.

a. Why are daughters seen as a burden? Give examples from the story to support your reasoning.

b. Why are sons seen as a benefit? Give examples from the story to support your reasoning.

c. Is the same true today, daughters are a burden, while sons are a benefit? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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

(see the answer keys)

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