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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. Which is NOT a reason that Lakshmi gives for wanting a home of her own?

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

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

4. What is the nickname that Malik calls Lakshmi?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Lakshmi's ladies feel comfortable sharing private information with her?

2. Describe the Old Pink City.

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

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

5. Describe the relationship between Lakshmi and her mother-in-law.

6. What led Lakshmi’s and Radha’s father to alcoholism?

7. What did English tea sets such as Parvati’s signify, both before and after independence?

8. Why is wealth and gaining wealth so important to Lakshmi?

9. Why does Lakshmi help women have abortions?

10. Why does Lakshmi ask Radha to make the henna paste?

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

There is a focus on relationships between the young and the old in this book. Choose one on which to focus. Describe the relationship. How do they meet? How does their relationship develop or disintegrate over the course of the story? What leads to this strengthening or destruction of the relationship? What’s your overall view of this relationship? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Cultural influence is strong in this story. Describe Indian culture of the 1950s and how it influences the characters of this book. Describe your own culture, as well as the broader U.S. culture today. How are you influenced by the culture in which you were born, as well as the culture of the world in which you live? Are there clashes between these two cultures, or do they seem to be one culture, rather than two, fitting seamlessly together? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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