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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who is Nisar Ahmad?
(a) The muezzin at Mir Nihal's mosque.
(b) Mir Nihal's partner in the lace business.
(c) Mir Nihal's son-in-law.
(d) A former lover of Babban Jan's.

2. During the dust storm, who eavesdrops on Begam Waheed and Begam Nihal's conversation about Asghar?
(a) Anjum Zamani.
(b) Dilchain.
(c) Mehro.
(d) Begam Jamal.

3. What is ironic about Asghar's characterization of their days in Bhopal as "happy" (35)?
(a) He has repeatedly told Bundoo how unhappy he was in Bhopal.
(b) The two stories he recalls from that time are not really happy ones.
(c) The reader is aware that Asghar is not really capable of happiness.
(d) Begam Waheed argued against him being sent to live with her.

4. In Part II, Chapter 4, what thought makes Mir Nihal suddenly feel guilty and stop eating?
(a) The deaths of the pigeons were a result of his distraction over a mistress.
(b) He was not present at Babban Jan's death because he was busy with his birds.
(c) He has neglected his responsibilities to his wife and children.
(d) Babban Jan is dead and he should not be enjoying himself.

5. What is the main idea of the epigraph on the book's title page?
(a) Delhi has undergone a significant decline under colonial rule.
(b) The Indian people must hold the British to account for their cruelty.
(c) The people of Delhi should push harder to end colonial rule.
(d) Despite its colonial status, Delhi remains an important world capital.

6. What does Begam Nihal say is causing the illness in the Nihal household?
(a) Dengue.
(b) Malaria.
(c) Typhoid.
(d) Heatstroke.

7. What does the Part II, Chapter 5 description of Red Beard stress?
(a) His unattractiveness.
(b) His dignity.
(c) His gentleness.
(d) His boisterousness.

8. Where does Mir Nihal go on most evenings after dinner in Part I?
(a) To visit his mistress.
(b) To see his friend Nawab Puttan.
(c) To work for a few more hours.
(d) To the mosque.

9. By what year does the Introduction say the British East India Company had established control of India?
(a) 1852.
(b) 1757.
(c) 1818.
(d) 1835.

10. What is Molvi Dulhan dressed like in Part II?
(a) A prince.
(b) A woman.
(c) An Englishman.
(d) An imam.

11. Why is Mir Nihal hurrying home at the beginning of Part II, Chapter 1?
(a) He has heard that Begam Nihal has arranged Asghar's marriage.
(b) He has heard that Babban Jan has sent a message to his house.
(c) He wants to bring some mangoes to his family to make sherbet.
(d) He has forgotten to give his pigeons water.

12. Why does Mir Nihal not go into work on Saturday after a cat attacked his pigeons?
(a) He no longer sees a point in working.
(b) He is exhausted and sleeps all day instead.
(c) He is too sad about the pigeons.
(d) The shop is closed for the weekend.

13. To whom does Sheikh Mohammad Sadiq wish to marry his niece?
(a) Asghar.
(b) Majeed.
(c) Masroor.
(d) Ghafoor.

14. What does Mushtari Bai mean when she compares Asghar to "the moon of Eed" (53)?
(a) She gets frustrated waiting to see Asghar.
(b) She knows that Asghar does not really love her.
(c) She feels betrayed by the way Asghar has treated her.
(d) She suspects that Asghar has fallen in love with someone else.

15. When Begam Waheed tells her mother that Asghar is in love with Bilqeece, what does Begam Nihal accuse Bilqeece's mother of?
(a) Scheming with Begam Waheed.
(b) Lying to Asghar about their family.
(c) Putting a spell on Asghar.
(d) Using Asghar to elevate her family.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who are the Mughals?

2. Why does Asghar go to see Mushtari Bai in Chapter 11?

3. What does Begam Nihal ask her grandson Majeed to do in order to make the dust storm stop?

4. Why did Mir Nihal forbid Asghar to study at Aligarh?

5. What does Asghar tell Begam Waheed he will do if he cannot marry Bilqeece?

(see the answer keys)

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