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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 does Rajam bring to his meeting with Mani and Swami in Chapter 2?

2. Who does Mani follow around at school, convinced he knows what is on the exams?

3. What does Mani talk to Swami about as they walk to Rajam’s house in Chapter 6?

4. How many days has Swami’s mother been in bed at the start of Chapter 7?

5. Who does Swami suggest he bring Rajam to meet to avoid answering Rajam’s questions about Swami’s books?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Swami’s scripture teacher, Mr. Ebenezar, call the class idiots?

2. In what ways does Rajam, the new student in Chapter 2, impress Swami?

3. What does Mani tell Swami he plans to do to Rajam in Chapter 2?

4. Describe Swami’s visit to his mother’s room at the start of Chapter 7?

5. What happens when Swami returns to school after Rajam’s visit in Chapter 5?

6. Who does Mani visit to find out what is on exams and what does this person tell Mani?

7. How does Swami prepare for Rajam’s first visit to his house in Chapter 5?

8. Describe the scene with Swami, the paper boat, and the ant in Chapter 4.

9. Describe Swami’s conversation with Granny about Rajam at the start of Chapter 3.

10. Which of Swami’s father’s arguments about why he should study for exams inspires Swami to study?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Swami and his friends start a cricket team and it so happens that Swami has a talent for cricket, though his school gets in the way of his practice. Analyze the symbolic significance of Swami’s experience with cricket.

Essay Topic 2

Swami’s behavior and emotions are different when outside in nature versus when he is inside at home or school. Analyze these differences and discuss their significance to the one or two themes of the novel.

Essay Topic 3

The story is told entirely from Swami’s perspective. Analyze the author’s choice to tell the story from Swami’s point of view. How does viewing the events from Swami’s point of view affect the plot?

(see the answer keys)

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