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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. From what types of trees does the narrator describe the flying foxes unhinging themselves in the Prologue?

2. What was the charge that Saddam's father faced when he was arrested?

3. Where is the narrator of Chapter 7 located in the beginning of the chapter?

4. What does "Jannat" translate to in English?

5. What did the filmmaker ask Anjum and her friends to recite in Chapter 3?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Biplab Dasgupta feel about the concept of jihad when he was stationed as Deputy Station Head for the Bureau in Srinagar?

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

3. What does the story of Laila and Majnu signify? What is this story compared to in Chapter 1?

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

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

6. What information is related in the document from the social worker in Clovis, California that Biplab Dasgupta found in Chapter 7?

7. What is the significance of the vultures' deaths in the Prologue?

8. What led Saddam Hussein to his dream of opening a funeral parlor? Where did he hope to open one?

9. What is the female protagonist's relationship to the English-speaking man in Chapter 1?

10. Why were Anjum, Mr. Aggarwal, and Ustad Hameed arrested in Chapter 3?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the narrative style of The Ministry of Utmost Happiness. From what narrative point of view is the novel related? Are there changes from this narrative style? Where and why? Why does the author apply this approach?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and discuss the setting of the Khwabgah in The Ministry of Utmost Happiness. Where is the Khwabgah located? Who lives there? What does its name translate to in English?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the characters of Miss Jebeen the First and Miss Jebeen the Second. Are these characters related? What led to Miss Jebeen the First's death? Who died with her? Where was she buried? How does her life compare with that of Miss Jebeen the Second?

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