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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. What happens to Mistri Yakoob Balloch after his deal is made with the sisters?

2. Into where are the Muslims herded for their own safety, following the death of Bilquis' father?

3. How many daughters does Old Man Shakil have?

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

5. How many women sleep in the room with Bariamma?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are the circumstances surrounding the death of Mistri Yakoob Balloch?

2. How do Raza Hyder and Maulana Dawood come to trust one another immediately?

3. What characterizes Bilquis' reaction to the Loo?

4. What theory does the author propose regarding the mysterious pregnancy of the sisters?

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

6. Briefly describe why the narrator insists that his novel is not about a real Pakistan, and what would happen to (the story, not the actual book) it if it were.

7. Why does Raza Hyder stake himself to the ground in Iskander Harappa's yard?

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

9. What characterizes Omar Khayyam Shakil's early educational experiences?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In an analytical essay, carefully examine the character and personality of Omar Khayyam Shakil. Take into account all of the relevant details, from the moment and manner of his conception until his violent death. In what ways is he is a peripheral character? How is he in any sense a hero of the story? In what way do his actions, or lack thereof, move the events of the story? In what ways is he significant as a symbolic character? What does his character, in all its exaggerations, demonstrate about universal human nature?

Essay Topic 2

Compose an insightful essay on the character of Raza Hyder. As one of the principal protagonists of the story's events, what is Raza's overall significance to the story and its main themes? What are his primary character traits and in what actions do they show themselves? Does he in any way change over the course of the story? How do the other characters think of him and act towards him throughout the story? In what ways does he represent universal human nature? Is his character one of virtue? If so, in what ways, and if not, in what ways?

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)

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