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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 is Jaya's job?

2. What does Amisha give to Stephen for Christmas?

3. What does Amisha ask Deepak?

4. How many sons does Amisha have?

5. What does Stephen tell Amisha about his brother?

Short Essay Questions

1. What writing prompt does Amisha give her class on her first day as a teacher?

2. What does Jaya buy for her parents at the market in Chapter 27?

3. What does Jaya see in the road when she takes a taxi to her grandfather's village?

4. What is Jaya's reaction to Ravi's home?

5. What does Stephen propose to Amisha when he comes to her home for the first time?

6. What does Ravi get for Amisha on her first day of school?

7. What does Neema's father tell Amisha about her class?

8. What is the significance of the "bindi" in Indian culture?

9. What does a restaurant owner reveal to Jaya about Ravi in Chapter 23?

10. What does Ravi tell Jaya about the ownership of the school and the mill?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Traditional Indian food is a prevalent theme in the test. Write an essay in which you explore how and where the author uses traditional food to contribute to the tone of the narrative as well as the plot. Cite specific moments in the test to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Marriage and weddings are a major theme within the novel. Use evidence from the text to analyze the author's portrayal of tradition Indian weddings. Are Indian weddings portrayed in a positive, negative, or nuanced manner? Use evidence from the text to support your opinion.

Essay Topic 3

Jaya frequently mentions that her mother is distant. Write an essay in which you examine how Lena's upbringing affected her disposition. Use evidence from throughout the text to support your analysis.

(see the answer keys)

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