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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What habit of the British soldiers did Bakha find "Disgraceful" (12)?
(a) Hurrying naked toward their bathtubs.
(b) Bathing with their undergarments still on.
(c) Touching their genitals while bathing.
(d) Singing while bathing.

2. What is Bakha staring at when he hears the man complaining that Bakha has bumped into him?
(a) A woman sitting in a window.
(b) The colorful clothing of a Peshawari fruit-seller.
(c) The huge advertising signs he cannot read.
(d) A page of the Daily Mail newspaper laying in the street.

3. Why are Chota and Ram Charan eager for the babu's sons to be at the hockey game?
(a) The babu might come to the game to watch them play.
(b) They are excellent hockey players.
(c) The babu will send his sons with plenty of food for everyone.
(d) They own a number of hockey sticks.

4. What is Bakha's first response when he hears the priest cry out "Polluted, polluted, polluted" (50)?
(a) He stands at the top of the steps and yells back.
(b) He tries to hide.
(c) He runs down the steps.
(d) He freezes in terror.

5. Why did a rich merchant once give Lakha a buffalo cow?
(a) It was a part of the merchant's daughter's wedding festivities.
(b) He was advised to do this because he wanted sons.
(c) His father had owed a debt to Lakha's father before both men died.
(d) He owed Lakha a year's back wages for sweeping at his home and shop.

6. What does Bakha see in the street outside of town that he reminds himself his mother told him was good luck to see?
(a) A human corpse.
(b) A red bird.
(c) A lost coin.
(d) Animal bones.

7. When the priest claims to have been "defiled by contact," what does Bakha assume (51)?
(a) He must have touched the priest on his way past him.
(b) There must be a third, as yet unseen, outcaste nearby.
(c) The priest is lying.
(d) His sister must have touched the priest.

8. What does Sohini eventually admit to her brother the priest did to her?
(a) Chastised her for not cleaning properly.
(b) Grabbed her breasts.
(c) Threatened to get their father in trouble.
(d) Made improper sexual suggestions.

9. What does the narrator say prevents the crowd from accepting Bakha's apology?
(a) Hysteria.
(b) Sadism.
(c) Indifference.
(d) Contempt.

10. What does Bakha do when he is finally at the top of the temple steps?
(a) Balances on his toes and looks through a window.
(b) Stands at the edge where he can see through a crack in the wall.
(c) Sneaks quietly inside the temple.
(d) Lies down and peers under the door.

11. What causes Bakha to pause before entering the town?
(a) He sees his friends coming toward him.
(b) He hears his sister calling from their house.
(c) He is dreading going into the town.
(d) He is enjoying the sunshine.

12. What did Lakha borrow money from Ganesh Nath, the bania, to pay for?
(a) Sweeping equipment.
(b) A cow.
(c) His wife's funeral.
(d) His daughter's dowry.

13. What is "Waris Shah's Hir and Ranjah," which Bakha longs to read?
(a) A book of history.
(b) A epic poem.
(c) A political treatise.
(d) An adventure novel.

14. What does the street urchin accuse Bakha of?
(a) Theft.
(b) Insulting a god.
(c) Improper behavior with a woman.
(d) Beating him.

15. When Bakha is in the street where he has to step over the cow, what does he notice about his surroundings?
(a) The number of British goods for sale has increased since he was last in the town.
(b) His sister has not cleaned the street as she was supposed to have done.
(c) There are not as many people out as is usual for the time of day.
(d) Many of the shopkeepers are staring at him as if they have already heard gossip about him.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why is the younger of the babu's sons so eager to get going during their conversation with Bakha and his friends?

2. How does Bakha feel when he observes the services taking place inside the temple?

3. What does the priest inside the temple do to indicate the beginning of services?

4. What is a tonga-wallah?

5. What does the narrator say Charat Singh's offer "called forth" in Bakha (10)?

(see the answer keys)

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