View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where does the narrator describe Tilo meeting Musa alongside an entourage of orphan boys in Chapter 8?

2. What is the name of the dog that accompanied Tilo in her escape in Chapter 8?

3. What did Tilo attribute to her decision to leave her husband in Chapter 8?

4. What is the name of the young Kashmiri boy who was summoned by Ashfaq Mir in Chapter 8?

5. From what narrative tense is The Ministry of Utmost Happiness largely related?

Short Essay Questions

1. What classes were being taught at the Jannat Guest House in the beginning of Chapter 10?

2. By whom is the letter written that is produced by Dr. Bhartiya in Chapter 10? To whom is the letter addressed?

3. What story did Musa recall telling his daughter in Chapter 9? What was Musa doing as he recalled this memory?

4. How is Miss Jebeen the Second's mother's pregnancy described in her letter?

5. How were Tilo and the baby greeted at the Jannat Guest House in Chapter 8?

6. How has Biplab Dasgupta's outlook on Indian politics changed by Chapter 11?

7. Why was the young Kahmiri boy brought in by Ashfaq Mir in Chapter 8? How is he described?

8. Who or what is Guih Kom and what is signficiant about his/her appearance in Chapter 12?

9. How is Tilo's encounter at the zoo described in Chapter 8? What do you think this encounter symbolizes?

10. What did Naga ask Tilo about Commander Gulrez after they were released in Chapter 8? What did she reply?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the role of Amrik Singh in the narrative of The Ministry of Utmost Happiness. How do Singh's actions contribute to the development of the plot? Is Singh a protagonist or an antagonist? Why?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and discuss the life of Hazrat Sarmad Shaheed. When and where was Hazrat Sarmad Shaheed from? What brought him to India? What ultimately led to his execution? Why is it ironic that people worship at his shrine?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the motif of religion in The Ministry of Utmost Happiness. What are the major religions of India? How are these major religions illustrated in the novel? Where are there crossovers between religions?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 774 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample