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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. How many invited Indian immigrants come to Gogol's second birthday party?

2. In what type of neighborhood do the Gangulis finally purchase a home?

3. What error in speech does Ashima make when talking with the nurse?

4. Where does Gogol first begin to introduce himself to people as Nikhil?

5. What kind of people are Ashima's neighbors in her first home in America?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do the Ganguli family do during Ashoke's sabbatical?

2. What does Ashima think about while in labor?

3. At college after changing his name, how does Gogol react to being called by his new name?

4. What happens when Gogol's train coming home from college is late?

5. What type of home do the Gangulis settle down in to raise their family?

6. Who befriends Ashima at the hospital and how?

7. What does Ashoke think about while Ashima is in labor?

8. Why doesn't the school call Gogol by the name Nikhil?

9. How does Gogol feel about his family during visits home from college?

10. Why aren't Ashoke and Ashima concerned that they don't have a name picked out before the birth of their child?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Moushumi enters the book somewhat late in the story and doesn't remain to the end, but she is central to the development of Gogol's character. Trace her actions through the story. Why does she act as she does? Are her actions pivotal to the plot or can the story follow the same course to the same conclusion without her character? Why or why not? Support your answer with examples from the book.

Essay Topic 2

Ashoke's near-death experience is a theme of the novel. Describe this experience and how it affects his later decisions in life. Tell how those decisions affect the lives of the people close to him. Cite scenes or situations in the novel to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Gogol and Moushumi ended up divorcing. Tell why this happened and then follow the problems in the marriage that were there from the beginning. Be sure to include those problems that were directly related to the fact that they were both second-generation Indian immigrants. Do you think the author succeeded in separating the problems that were unique to immigrants from those that can be found in any marriage in America today? Why or why not? Cite examples to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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