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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. What does the passage about the cheap nickel jewelry reveal about Bakha?
(a) His fascination with the English has ruined for him some of the things he loved as a child.
(b) His poverty is the main thing that keeps him from dressing as he really wants to.
(c) He secretly admires the bright, cheerful manner in which many caste Hindus dress.
(d) His disinterest in Indian culture is a result of his outcaste status rather than his exposure to English culture.

3. What is the job of the young man who is interested in Sohini?
(a) Grass-cutter.
(b) Weaver.
(c) Water-carrier.
(d) Soldier.

4. On page 28, what does the narrator say prevails in the lives of the outcastes?
(a) Indifference.
(b) Suffering.
(c) Silence.
(d) Faith.

5. 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 own a number of hockey sticks.
(c) The babu will send his sons with plenty of food for everyone.
(d) They are excellent hockey players.

6. After he is finally free of the crowd in the street, what does Bakha suddenly realize is at the root of all of his problems?
(a) His father.
(b) His lack of religious knowledge.
(c) His lack of education.
(d) His status as an "untouchable."

7. What is ironic about Bakha's friends teasing him about his interest in "fashun" (26)?
(a) They are the ones who first encouraged his interest.
(b) They do not even know what the word means.
(c) They are not trying to be cruel.
(d) They share this interest.

8. What aspect of Bakha's appearance surprises Charat Singh?
(a) His proud expression.
(b) His sensitive face.
(c) His muscular form.
(d) His cleanliness.

9. What did Bakha's uncle tell him when he first said that he wanted to be a "sahib" (30)?
(a) That he would need to find another job.
(b) That he would have to go to school.
(c) That it was impossible.
(d) That he would miss his family.

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

11. What is a tonga-wallah?
(a) A jockey.
(b) A carriage driver.
(c) A delivery person.
(d) A blacksmith.

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

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

14. What is Gulabo's job?
(a) Leather tanner.
(b) Washerwoman.
(c) Water-carrier.
(d) Weaver.

15. Where did Bakha acquire a taste for the Western way of life?
(a) Traveling with his uncle.
(b) Playing hockey in other towns.
(c) Working in a British barracks.
(d) At his British-run school.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does context suggest is the correct interpretation of the narrator's description of the temple's "florid exuberance" (46)?

2. What is the image in the model temple at the base of the banyan tree?

3. What has Bakha successfully taught himself from the book he bought?

4. What does the narrator say prevents the crowd from accepting Bakha's apology?

5. On page 6, what do the outcaste boys start calling Bakha after he starts wearing British clothing?

(see the answer keys)

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