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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. Who is Mandodari’s father?

2. How are Rama and the others revived?

3. Who tells the monkeys where Sita is?

4. Where does Pushpaka go after Rama’s coronation?

5. How many times does this character plead with Ravana?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe General Prahasta’s chariot.

2. How does Indrajit capture Hanuman, and how does Hanuman get free?

3. What happens to Queen Mandodari after Ravana’s death?

4. Describe Hanuman’s leap.

5. What advice does Khumbakarna give Ravana before he goes to fight?

6. Describe the origins of the Ramayana.

7. Describe the Rakshasis Hanuman sees when he is searching Lanka.

8. Describe Sita’s interaction with Ravana as Hanuman is watching.

9. Why does Rama banish Sita?

10. How does Rama kill Khumbakarna?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When is the Ramayana most itself? What is its characteristic passage, or moment? What makes that moment or passage the most representative of the book as a whole? Are there any places where the book seems to depart from its typical self, as if to become a different book?

Essay Topic 2

What topics would you like to research further after reading the Ramayana? Describe why additional research or reading would be beneficial to an understanding of this book. Propose a list of articles or books you would read in order to get a better handle on the Ramayana.

Essay Topic 3

Write an evaluative review of the Ramayana. What is this book’s place in culture? What are its uses? What are its limitations?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 863 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample