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

2. What fact delights Moushumi as she begins her eighth semester at NYU?

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

4. What do Moushumi and Gogol do during their free time after they are husband and wife?

5. How does Ashima feel about Gogol having a girlfriend?

Short Essay Questions

1. What kind of wedding do Gogol and Moushumi have?

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

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

4. What happens when Gogol takes Maxine to meet his family?

5. What do Gogol and Moushumi have in common when they first meet?

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

7. How does Gogol finally learn about his father's death?

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

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

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

The author uses unexpected events to change the direction of the story. One such event is Ashoke's death, but there are others. Cite at least three other examples of other such events and tell how they change the direction of the plot.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

The author's previous book is a book of short stories. Some of the criticism of this book is that it is jerky and seems more like a collection of short stories than a novel. Cite examples from the book that you believe led to this criticism. Do you agree that the plot movement is jerky? Why or why not? Cite examples to support your answer.

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