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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How do Gogol's parents explain his lack of an alternative identity to friends in India?
(a) They say alternative identities are not used in America.
(b) They say they forgot such things after living in America.
(c) They tell people he would only respond to Gogol.
(d) They say the law about names in America makes such identities difficult if not impossible.

2. Where does Gogol first begin to introduce himself to people as Nikhil?
(a) At the bank where he gets a school loan.
(b) His first day of school in New Haven.
(c) At the park where a little boy asks his name.
(d) As soon as he gets home he introduces his new self to his family.

3. How do Ashoke and Ashima give in to American customs?
(a) They wear American clothes even in their own home.
(b) They buy season tickets to sporting events.
(c) They let Sonia and Gogol choose American food at the supermarket.
(d) They cease celebrating Indian holidays.

4. What does the man who lends Ashoke the book on the train tell him that he should do?
(a) Read widely as that is the same as traveling the world.
(b) Travel and see the world.
(c) Meet the mans' family at the end of the trip.
(d) Be glad he has family that loves him.

5. What does Ashoke do that reminds Ashima of the time he visited her parents' home?
(a) He polishes his shoes fastidiously.
(b) He goes out of his way to learn American ways and tell her about them.
(c) He takes his shoes off, as is customary in India.
(d) He tells her how beautiful she is when she dresses up for him.

6. Why doesn't Ashoke explain how Gogol came about his name when he gives him the book by Nikoli Gogol?
(a) He doesn't want Gogol to know about the terrible train wreck Ashoke was in.
(b) He feels Gogol should figure it out on his own.
(c) He sees that Gogol is interested in other things.
(d) He doesn't like the person his son has become.

7. How Gogol/Nikhil feel about his new name once a few weeks have passed?
(a) He feels like a new and different person.
(b) He's confused and doesn't know why.
(c) He doesn't give it a second thought.
(d) He wishes he'd never done it.

8. What makes Ashima's first outing with Gogol take longer than expected?
(a) Gogol cries and she must stop to calm him down.
(b) Friendly Americans interested in her baby.
(c) The pram is old and she's afraid it will break down.
(d) She is still tired and can't walk as quickly as expected.

9. Why does the principal finally end up registering Gogol by his pet name?
(a) She says the name on his birth certificate is his proper name.
(b) He doesn't want to be called by any other name.
(c) She feels Gogol is closer to an American name than Nikhil.
(d) She doesn't understand Indian culture.

10. How do Gogol and his friends celebrate his fourteenth birthday party?
(a) They go swimming at a nearby pool.
(b) They go to a pizza parlor where they play video games.
(c) They have pizzas and watched a baseball game on TV.
(d) They got to a baseball game and have pizza afterwards.

11. As Ashoke waits while Ashima gives birth, who does he thank for his survival and this miracle of new life about to begin?
(a) All the people of his family who came before him.
(b) Gogol, the Russian writer who saved his life in the train wreck.
(c) The man who lent him the book that saved his life.
(d) God, he is a very religious man.

12. What does Ashima try to make for a midnight snack?
(a) A concoction sold for pennies in Calcutta
(b) Rice Krispies bars
(c) Ice cream
(d) Pickles, because she's pregnant

13. What does Gogol think when his parents tell him they are going to India for eight months?
(a) That they are doing it only to acquaint him and Sonia with India.
(b) That they are joking.
(c) That they are homesick.
(d) That they think he's become too American.

14. What did Ashima do upon first meeting Ashoke when he visited her family home in India?
(a) She impulsively stepped into the strange American shoes at the door.
(b) She changed into her most beautiful sari before meeting him.
(c) She asked him about his travels, especially about America.
(d) She said she didn't want to meet anyone from America.

15. What is Ashima's second pregnancy like?
(a) She is constantly sick and smells bother her a lot.
(b) She has no problems such as when she had Gogol.
(c) She is in serious danger of having a miscarriage.
(d) She is sick but doesn't let that slow her down.

Short Answer Questions

1. What do the Gangulis do with their home while they are in India?

2. How does the breakup between Gogol/Nakhil and Ruth happen?

3. What kind of name does Ashoke consider Gogol to be when he chooses it for his son?

4. When does the idea to change his name first occur to Gogol?

5. How does Gogol go about changing his school documents that were completed using the name Gogol?

(see the answer keys)

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