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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. 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) God, he is a very religious man.
(d) The man who lent him the book that saved his life.

2. What did Gogol do at his birthday party with friends that he'd never done before?
(a) He got presents from friends, something his parents had not allowed before.
(b) He said no to a frosted cake and ice cream.
(c) He finally had a frosted cake and ice cream.
(d) He had a boy-girl party with dancing.

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

4. What two kinds of parties does Gogol have for his fourteenth birthday?
(a) One on his actual birthday, another on the weekend when it's convenient.
(b) One with friends from school and one with Indian friends of his family.
(c) One at home and one at a pizza parlor.
(d) One with family and one with school friends.

5. Why does Gogol tell the judge he's changing his name?
(a) He wants a more normal name.
(b) He doesn't like the writer he was named after.
(c) He has always hated his name.
(d) People can't pronounce his name.

6. How does the breakup between Gogol/Nakhil and Ruth happen?
(a) They have a huge fight and Gogol walks out on her.
(b) Ruth takes a class in England and that ends the affair.
(c) Gogol's friends tell him Ruth isn't right for him.
(d) Ruth's parents don't like her seeing an Indian so she ends it.

7. What difference does Ashima notice in her days before and after Gogol's birth?
(a) Now she has something to occupy her time.
(b) Now she isn't the center of attention when Ashoke is home.
(c) Now friends stop by at all hours to see Gogol.
(d) Now she can't seem to organize her days.

8. When does the idea to change his name first occur to Gogol?
(a) When school officials can't pronounce his given name.
(b) When Sonia tells him people laugh behind his back.
(c) When relatives in India tell him it's not an Indian name.
(d) When reading an issue of Readers Digest.

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

10. What error in speech does Ashima make when talking with the nurse?
(a) She slips into her native tongue without realizing it.
(b) She forgets to use the plural when mentioning toes and fingers.
(c) None, English was her best subject in Calcutta.
(d) She uses the wrong word for baby.

11. How does Ashima's family keep in touch with her after Gogol's birth?
(a) They call every evening at six, right after dinner.
(b) They exchange long letters about once a month.
(c) They communicate sporadically.
(d) They write letters, once as many as three a week.

12. What bad news does Ashima receive from her family in India soon after Gogol's birth?
(a) Their home was flooded and suffered extensive damage.
(b) Her father has lost his job.
(c) Her little brother's wedding has been called off.
(d) Her grandmother has had a stroke.

13. What place does Ashima recall while in labor?
(a) Her childhood home in India.
(b) No place, she's totally involved in her present situation.
(c) The lake she once visited as a child.
(d) The apartment she shares with her husband.

14. What happens to Ashoke and Ashima within a decade of moving to America?
(a) They lose touch with their families in India.
(b) They seldom know what's going on with their families in India.
(c) They both become orphans.
(d) They become true Americans.

15. On the plane, why is Gogol happy to sit apart from his parents?
(a) Because he thinks no one will know they are related to him.
(b) He isn't happy, he's secretly afraid.
(c) He's glad because Sonia irritates him with her questions.
(d) Because he enjoys being on his own.

Short Answer Questions

1. What did Ashima do upon first meeting Ashoke when he visited her family home in India?

2. What appearance does the Ganguli home present to a casual observer?

3. What makes Ashima's first outing with Gogol take longer than expected?

4. What does Ashoke do that reminds Ashima of the time he visited her parents' home?

5. How many people come to Sonia's rice ceremony when she's six months old?

(see the answer keys)

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