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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 do Maxine's parents do for Gogol while in New Hampshire?

2. What does Moushumi tell friends her name means?

3. What kind of wedding do Gogol and Moushumi decide on?

4. How often does Ashima see Ashoke while he's working in Ohio?

5. Why doesn't Gogol enjoy the trip to Paris with Moushumi as much as he expected?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. How do Gogol and Mushumi react to one another after all this time?

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

5. What does Gogol do when he learns of his father's death?

6. After Gogol breaks off his relationship with Maxine, who does his mother introduce him to?

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

8. How does Gogol feel about Maxine's family?

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

10. When bothers Gogol after he and Moushumi return to New York after a trip to Paris?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One main theme of this novel is culture shock. Cite instances from the book that can exemplify possible real life experiences of any second-generation immigrant to America and that are not just examples Indian-American immigrants might experience. Do you believe this book is more about culture shock or about the Indian American experience? Cite examples to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

The Ganguli family lifestyle is central to the story. Compare and contrast the Ganguli family's lifestyle to the lifestyle of the Ratliffs. Cite examples from the novel that show differences and explain how those differences are important to the story.

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.

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This section contains 709 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample