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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. How does Lakshmi confirm that Radha is her sister?

2. What type of women did Samir prefer as lovers?

3. Who encouraged and aided Lakshmi in her move to Jaipur?

4. Nautch girls would conceal what within the henna design on their bodies?

5. What changed everything and changed nothing, according to Part One?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Lakshmi’s mosaic tile floor.

2. What deal does Parvati offer Lakshmi regarding the match between Ravi and Sheela?

3. Why is the match between Sheela and Ravi so important to Lakshmi?

4. How is Lakshmi a fallen woman in the eyes of her ladies?

5. What happy news is received at the Singh’s party?

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

7. Why do Indian parents hurry to marry off their children?

8. What did Munchi give Radha? Why was it so special to her?

9. What is Parvati's reaction regarding Lala's niece and Lala's pleas?

10. Who are the Singhs, both past and present?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is misogyny, and how is it displayed in this story? How does it affect the lives of both the men and women in this story? Misogyny is currently a big issue in our own culture that has led to the #MeToo Movement. What is the #MeToo Movement? How is it important and impactful on our current culture? How is it affecting young people? Could this lead to major changes in our world and the ending of misogyny? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Abortion is an important topic brought up in this book. It is also an important topic in our current culture. What are the views of the various characters regarding abortion? How do the views of the characters, in terms of their attitude regarding abortion, change throughout the story? How might these beliefs about abortion also represent modern beliefs regarding abortion? Overall, what does this book say about abortion? Use examples from the book to support your response.

Essay Topic 3

The definition of having wealth changes over the course of the story. How might wealth be described early on, especially by those in the high castes and by Lakshmi herself? How does this definition change over time? What does Lakshmi feel is important at the beginning of the story versus at the end? How does the author show the lack of wealth by those even in the higher castes? How does this relate to the Hindu Proverb from the Epigraph?

(see the answer keys)

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