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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 kind of daily routine do Gogol and Maxine follow at the summer home in New Hampshire?

2. What does the Ratliff's move to New Hampshire every year remind Gogol of?

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

4. How is the Ratliff's house in New Hampshire different from the one in New York City?

5. What are Moushumi and Gogol doing when he kisses her in her apartment?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What do Moushumi and Dimitri do when they meet?

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

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

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

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

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

9. What does Ashima do by herself with her husband in Ohio?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 646 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample