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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. What does Gogol give his mother as a gift when his baby sister is born?

2. What about the house becomes one of Gogol's earliest memories?

3. Why does Gogol/Nakhid take a class in Indian novels written in English?

4. How do Gogol's parents explain his lack of an alternative identity to friends in India?

5. What does the school counselor say about Gogol missing so much school?

Short Essay Questions

1. What job is Ashoke offered after finishing his college studies?

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

3. How are the Ganguli family plans changed while preparing for a visit to India when Gogol is a year old?

4. Why doesn't Gogol look forward to his fourteenth birthday party?

5. What is Ashima doing when her water breaks?

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

7. What do the Gangulis do differently when naming their daughter Sonali than they did when Gogol was born?

8. What happens to Gogol and Sonia while the family are sightseeing in India?

9. Why is Ashima afraid while in labor?

10. What does Gogol decide to do when he turns eighteen?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author uses Gogol's romantic relationships to explore different aspects of his character. Follow the development of Gogol's romantic life throughout the book and examine Gogol's character in each relationship. Cite examples from the book to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

Distance is one major theme in this novel. Explore the author's use of distance in the book, both physical and emotional, and tell how and where it is found and what the author accomplishes by using this theme. Cite examples from the story to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

How is the marriage of Ashim and Ashoke Ganguli different from most American marriages? Cite examples to support your answer. Discuss some advantages or disadvantages of each kind of marriage as described in the novel.

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