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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. Why isn't Ashima alarmed when Ashoke calls her in the evening when he is sick?

2. What embarrasses Gogol about the meal his mother has prepared for his and Maxine's visit?

3. Why can't Ashima get hold of Gogol to tell him of his father's death?

4. What happened to one of the administrative assistants at NYU?

5. How does Gogol feel about his frequent visits to Maxine's home?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Gogol and Moushumi decide to do with the money they receive as wedding presents?

2. What does Gogol do for Moushumi's Christmas gift?

3. What do the Ratliffs do for Gogol in New Hampshire?

4. What call does Ashima get while working on the Christmas cards?

5. What does Moushumi do while married to Gogol and feeling discontented with life?

6. What happens to change a friendly evening into an intimate encounter between Mushumi and Gogol?

7. How does Gogol plan to present Moushumi with the tickets?

8. Why does Gogol agree to visit his family when he'd rather go to New Hampshire with Maxine's family?

9. What does Gogol do after graduating from college?

10. What does Moushumi reveal about her past that she finds humiliating?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

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

This book is the story of the lives of the Ganguli family that are both intertwined and separate. Tell how each family member's story is affected and changed by the actions of other members of the family. Explain how these interactions changes the outcome of the story.

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This section contains 659 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample