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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 book does Moushumi look for that was inscribed for her by Dimitri?

2. How does Maxine treat Gogol's parents when they visit on their way to New Hampshire?

3. Why does Ashima insist Gogol come home for a visit?

4. Where did Moushumi live while growing up?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Do Gogol and Mushumi marry immediately after meeting?

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

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

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

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

7. What happens the day after Gogol meets a girl named Maxine?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Moushumi experiences much the same cultural ambivalence as Gogol. Explain why this is so and cite scenes from the book that show this ambivalence.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

The author uses the character of Gogol's sister Sonia as a counterpoint to Gogol's character. Follow the development of her character throughout the book and show how her character differed from Gogol's and what the author accomplished through Sonia's character. Cite examples from the book to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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