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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 is the reason Mr. Sharma gives for not installing air conditioning in his home?

2. Why is Maharani Latika depressed?

3. What is one reason Lakshmi gives for how Samir might have ended up with Radha’s orange pen?

4. What does Lakshmi learn about the benefits of cotton root bark?

5. Why is Lakshmi most excited about having her own home?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What were signs that Maharani Latika was healing?

3. How are Radha and Malik alike?

4. How does Radha feel about the school she is attending in Part Three? How do these feelings surface?

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

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

7. How did both Lakshmi and Hari's mother hurt him?

8. What are some pros and cons for sending Radha to the Maharani School for Girls?

9. How has Radha changed over the three months she has been with Lakshmi in regards to her relationship with Lakshmi?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

The blending of cultures is shown in many ways in this story. Describe two ways in which the author brings focus to this. What are the pros and cons given in the story of blending cultures? How is seen in our own country, both in small communities of ethnic groups, as well as in the culture at large?

Essay Topic 3

There are several relationships, both romantic and plutonic, between men and women in this story. 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.

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