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. How is a profession viewed, in regards to women having professions in the novel?

2. What can readers assume is a tonga-walla?

3. In what year does the story begin?

4. Who is quoted as saying, “An eye for any eye makes the whole world blind”?

5. Why was Kanta able to do graduate studies in England?

Short Essay Questions

1. In 1950s India, did individual shame exist? How does Lakshmi explain shame in her culture?

2. What do Lakshmi’s sachets contain? How are they significant to the story?

3. What does Radha do to try to remove the curse on her family?

4. Why did the women of the upper caste choose Lakshmi over the women of the Shudra caste?

5. How did the end of the Singh’s party end in trouble for Lakshmi?

6. Why has shame befallen Lakshmi’s and Radha’s family, based on information given in the Prologue?

7. Why are children so important to Indian men?

8. How had notebooks become important to Lakshmi?

9. Describe Lakshmi’s mosaic tile floor.

10. What is the purpose of Lakshmi’s tiffin?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Perception is a universal theme found in this book. How does perception play a role in the acceptance and inclusion of the characters? How does perception also lead to exclusion and denial? How does this seem to affect the characters in this book? What might the author want you to take away from this book regarding this theme?

Essay Topic 2

Choose one of the main characters from this book and describe his or her character development throughout the story. What leads to this development? How do other characters and the events surrounding him or her influence him or her? Overall, what are your thoughts about this character? Did your opinion regarding this character stay the same or change? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Describe the royal family in this story. How do they compare to other modern royal families? What is the role of royal families today? Should royal families still be given special treatment, financial support, etc.? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,065 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample