View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which of the following does Omar request as a present on his 12th birthday?

2. Of what is Bilquis habitually afraid?

3. What is the name the Shakil sisters give to their house?

4. For whom does Omar look among the Englishmen?

5. What is the most prominent decoration in Eduardo Rodrigues' room?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Omar Khayyam describe himself to Iskander Harappa, as described at the end of Chapter 1?

2. What is the political atmosphere in Delhi prior to the destruction of Bilquis' father's business?

3. What vice does Omar discern in Farah immediately before hypnotizing her, and how?

4. In what idea do Raza and Bilquis put an undue amount of faith, and why is this a troublesome belief?

5. What characterizes Bilquis' reaction to the Loo?

6. Of what two cultural parts is the town of Q's dumbbell shape composed?

7. Of what sort of development is Omar Khayyam Shakil deprived in his formative years?

8. Why is Raza Hyder's military victory so greatly lauded throughout Pakistan?

9. How is Omar initially greeted upon his exiting Nishapur?

10. What are the lasting effects of Omar's birthday request upon his mothers?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In a carefully developed essay, discuss the importance of catharsis of emotions and how the neglect of catharsis leads to calamity, as is demonstrated in Shame. What is catharsis? Why is it important? What happens when emotions are not acknowledged? What happens to the reactions that ought to occur? Where do they go? How do they transfer from one person to another?

Essay Topic 2

Write a thoughtful analytical essay on the character of Rani Humayun Harappa. As one of the prominent female characters in the story, her actions and character are very important for discerning the significance of the story. In what ways is Rani significant? How does she impact the plot of the story, if at all? What is the significance of her impact, if she has any, and even if she does not? What particular actions demonstrate to the reader the character of Rani? Is she a virtuous character? Defend your answers with explicit references to the text.

Essay Topic 3

Even without the terrifying monster that lurks within her, Sufiya Zinobia is a character that deserves much consideration. Compose a thoughtful analytical essay on the character of Sufiya Zinobia as an entity separate from the Beast that resides within her. What sort of character is she? How do the other characters interact with her? What sort of feelings does she generally inspire in the people around her? Why might Omar Khayyam Shakil have some legitimacy in his attraction to her? What is her primary significance in the story?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 854 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample