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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. Where does Meet Singh arrange for Iqbal to sleep?

2. What is the name of the stranger who enters Mana Majra?

3. What does the Subinspector believe is the ultimate tool for extracting information?

4. Why doesn't the lambardar tell the people what is happening?

5. What term of endearment is used for Imam Baksh?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Meet Singh's appearance.

2. Describe the scene between Jugga and Malli at the end of Chapter 2, section 3.

3. Explain why the Subinspector evacuated Chundunnegger.

4. How does Malli and his gang come into possession of the evacuated Muslim's property?

5. Explain what Jugga's mother gives as proof of his innocence, and his response.

6. Explain why Meet Singh is more concerned that Jugga killed a local than he is that Jugga committed murder.

7. Describe how the villagers learn of what was in the train.

8. Explain why Iqbal and Jugga are treated differently at the police station, according to Iqbal.

9. Describe Iqbal, the stranger who comes to Mana Majra.

10. Explain Iqbal's argument to Jugga about his status as a budmash, and Jugga's response.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the middle of the novel, a group of Sikh soldiers come to Mano Majra. In the same section, a train full of dead bodies is burned right outside the village, with the help of the wood and kerosene of the villagers. How do you think these events helped frame the rest of the story? If the train had not come through and the soldiers had not arrived, do you think the rest of the novel would have gone as it did? Would there have been a feeling of a need to retaliate? Would the villagers have remained brotherly? How else could the military have handled the trainload of deceased bodies? Was the government way of dealing with issues part of the problem in the novel? Why?

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the novel, the concept of freedom is discussed in terms of what freedom means to different classes in the novel and to different religious sects. Compare and contrast the different views of freedom by the characters in the novel and explain their differing opinions. How does Iqbal see freedom? When he speaks of freedom, does he imply a tangible freedom or political freedom? What are the views of Imam the mullah and the lambardar in terms of freedom? Why do their views differ? Are their views of freedom tangible or political? How does Jugga view freedom? What does he choose to do with his freedom following his release from jail? How does this compare with what Iqbal and the mullah and lambardar choose to do with their freedoms? What does this say about the value of freedom?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze the character of Iqbal, based on his actions and thoughts throughout the novel. How does Iqbal present himself to other characters throughout the novel in terms of his speeches and his rants against the power of government? How do his thoughts and actions as he is arrested relate to this view he attempts to present? How about his actions once he is released from prison? What are his true views of sacrifice and bravery, as is seem by his actions and thoughts at the end of the novel? How does he choose to react to the news of the coming violence? Do his statements at the end of the novel, as he drinks, show him to be a moral and virtuous man as he claims, or do his actions show him to be a selfish, cowardly man? Why? Be sure to include examples from the book to explain your answers.

(see the answer keys)

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