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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How many children does Bishambar have?
(a) 5.
(b) 2
(c) 3.
(d) 1.

2. Who finds Phatik when he runs away?
(a) Two constables.
(b) A fisherman.
(c) His mother.
(d) His uncle.

3. How old is Phatik?
(a) 9.
(b) 11.
(c) 13.
(d) 14.

4. When Haralal is wandering through Calcutta, who asks him about the address on an envelope?
(a) A chuprassi.
(b) A visitor from Barrackpore.
(c) A man who used to be in one of his classes.
(d) His manager's servant.

5. According to the "Once There Was a King" narrator, what is the attitude of modern readers?
(a) Dismissive and disdainful.
(b) Overly excitable.
(c) Critical and suspicious.
(d) Credulous and gullible.

6. In "Once There Was a King," what do the boys at the Brahman's son's school ask him about?
(a) How he became a prince.
(b) Why he spends so much time in the forest.
(c) Who his father is.
(d) The identity of the lady living in the palace with him.

7. What does Haralal's manager say is the worst aspect of the loss?
(a) Disruption of rice purchases.
(b) Distrust of investors.
(c) Harm to Haralal's career.
(d) Shame upon himself.

8. What types of stories does Haralal tell Venu?
(a) From 1,001 Nights and Charles Dickens.
(b) From the Puranas.
(c) From Greek history and Victor Hugo romances.
(d) From his favourite Calcutta-based author.

9. In "Once There Was a King," what does the princess eat before going to speak to her husband?
(a) His leftover supper.
(b) Nothing, for she has no appetite.
(c) A banana pudding.
(d) Her favorite soup.

10. Why does Adharlal tell Haralal to find somewhere else to live?
(a) The tutor's unpleasant habits.
(b) A theft in the house.
(c) A need to save money.
(d) An argument with Nanibala.

11. In "Once There Was a King," what does the king do to obtain a son?
(a) Consult a wise man.
(b) Practise austerities in the forest.
(c) Plot to kidnap a boy from the village.
(d) Demand that the queen produce a boy.

12. What does Haralal's firm buy from the countryside?
(a) Grapes and almonds.
(b) Coal.
(c) Goat milk.
(d) Rice and dal.

13. Where does Haralal tell the carriage driver he wants to go?
(a) His manager's office.
(b) His home, where his mother is waiting.
(c) Nowhere.
(d) Barrackpore.

14. What does Haralal leave for Venu when he resigns?
(a) Music box.
(b) Wooden bird.
(c) Bowl of goldfish.
(d) Book of stories.

15. What does the mustached stranger ask Phatik?
(a) Who he stole the wooden bird from.
(b) Where the Chakravartis live.
(c) When the boat will arive.
(d) Why he is wading in the water.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to his uncle, when will Phatik be able to go home?

2. In "Once There Was a King," who reads the incantations?

3. Who is Haralal's mother?

4. What does Phatik say when he opens his eyes to see his mother?

5. How does Makhan's mother describe him?

(see the answer keys)

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