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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. Toward the end of Part Three, Lakshmi laments the arrival of Radha in her life. What does she call her?

2. Why does Lakshmi believe Radha is not fully reconciled to the idea that the baby is to be adopted?

3. Why is the priest uncomfortable agreeing to the ceremony, until Malik gives him another five rupees?

4. What movie is the inspiration for Radha’s dress for the ceremony?

5. Of what does Mrs. Sharma consider accusing Lakshmi regarding Sheela's mandala?

Short Essay Questions

1. What leads Hari to helping poor, injured women?

2. What made Hari change his behavior towards women?

3. How do things start to go downhill after Lakshmi drops Radha back off at school after their lunch out together?

4. How does Radha show her naivety once Lakshmi tells her she is pregnant?

5. What does Radha say about her relationship with Lakshmi versus her relationship with Kanta?

6. What is the event that puts an end to Lakshmi's business in Jaipur? What are the consequences?

7. What is the name of Maharani Indira’s parrot? Why is he named this?

8. What is the reason Maharani Indira gives for wanting Maharani Latika healed?

9. What information gives readers a clue at the beginning of Part Three that something is going on with Radha?

10. Why was Lakshmi nervous about the relationship between Kanta and Radha?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What does the writer want the reader to get out of this book? What is her purpose for writing this novel? Has she succeeded? If so, how? If not, why not?

Essay Topic 2

Life in India before and after independence is both the same and different. What does the author mean by this? How is this idea of dependence and independence expressed, not only through Indian culture, but through the characters themselves? How have the characters changed and, yet, stayed the same during times of dependence and independence throughout the story?

Essay Topic 3

The topic of adoption is significant in this story. Describe the times this story discusses adoption. What is the cultural connection to this idea of adoption? How is the adoption of Radha’s son by Kanta unique? How is this adoption both significant and unusual within the culture and time period of the story? How does the fact that Radha gives her son up for adoption also reflect the culture and time period?

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