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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 shared experience does Anjum conclude she shares with the imam in Chapter 1?

2. What is the name of the mare described following the rickshaw in Chapter 5?

3. Why does the narrator say that the woman in the window was happy when the baby fell asleep?

4. For how long had the narrator of Chapter 7 known the woman who had lived on the second floor of his building?

5. Whom does the narrator identify as the soldier that is being tortured in the photos in Tilo's apartment?

Short Essay Questions

1. Compare and contrast the characters of Biplab Dasgupta and Dr. Azad Bhartiya.

2. How is Tilo's appearance described during her second wedding? What caused this change in appearance?

3. What aspects of the government and the current circumstances was Dr. Azad Bhartiya protesting? How?

4. What is signfificant about Zakir Mian's presence in Chapter 2?

5. How does the narrative style shift in the opening of Chapter 7? Why do you think the author makes this transition?

6. What led to Hazrat Sarmad Shaheed's execution? How was he killed?

7. How does Biplab Dasgupta feel about the area of Delhi where his rental apartments are located? Why?

8. How is the exchange at the house described with Saddam, Ishrat, and the mysterious woman?

9. How did Anjum's home in the cemetery evolve over time?

10. How is the protagonist described as living in the cemetery in Chapter 1?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Identify and discuss the plot points and plot structure of The Ministry of Utmost Happiness. Where in the narrative does the exposition transition into rising action? Where is the climax? What information is revealed in the falling action and denouement?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze and discuss the character of Anjum in The Ministry of Utmost Happiness. Is Anjum a protagonist or antagonist? Why? What are Anjum's defining characteristics? What is revealed about her through her behavior and actions?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the author's use of literary techniques to build suspense in the novel. How are foreshadowing, red herrings, and/or irony used to build tension in the story? How does the author's pacing increase suspense?

(see the answer keys)

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