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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. During the conversation about their childhood, what does Asghar imply about his father?
(a) Mir Nihal was the father of Dilchain's child.
(b) Mir Nihal used to beat Asghar.
(c) Mir Nihal is not as religious as he claims to be.
(d) Mir Nihal has a gambling problem.

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

3. Bundoo's mother tells Asghar that she feels it hardly necessary to observe "purdah" with him. In this context, what does "purdah" refer to?
(a) The rules separating one caste from another.
(b) The customs of welcoming and hospitality.
(c) The customary deference of younger people to their elders.
(d) The rules surrounding the seclusion of women from men.

4. Who is Mehro Zamani?
(a) The Nihals' daughter.
(b) Asghar's love interest.
(c) A dancing girl.
(d) The Nihals' servant.

5. What happy news do the Nihals receive in Part I, Chapter 5?
(a) A wealthy man has proposed to their youngest daughter.
(b) Begum Waheed is coming to visit them.
(c) Mir Nihal's lace business has turned a record profit.
(d) Their son has finally chosen someone to marry.

6. What rumor has Mir Nihal heard about Nisar Ahmad?
(a) He has a Farangi girlfriend.
(b) He sells impure ghee in his business.
(c) He has rare dappled pigeons for sale.
(d) He uses powerful charms to acquire customers.

7. What conclusion does Mir Nihan come to during his conversation with Nawab Puttan in Part II?
(a) It is time to get Mehro married and settled in Bhopal.
(b) He has no good reason to continue to oppose Asghar's marriage.
(c) Many of his problems began with the lie about spending time with Nawab Puttan.
(d) He should try to build a relationship with Begam Nihal instead of with a mistress.

8. What event are workers being forced to work in the extreme heat in preparation for?
(a) The hosting of a World's Fair in Delhi.
(b) A rumored attack by the Provisional Government of India.
(c) The coronation of George V and his wife, Mary.
(d) The move of the British Raj's capitol to Delhi.

9. What does Ali say caused the British paranoia about Muslim scholars that resulted in their violent suppression of the "Wahabi" conspiracy (xii)?
(a) The activism of Shah Waliullah.
(b) The influence of Ram Mohan Roy.
(c) The capture of Delhi by Ahmad Shah Abdali.
(d) The defeat of Shah Alam.

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

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

12. As Mir Nihal hurries to Babban Jan's on Friday night, what does he hear both a song and a poem about?
(a) Faith.
(b) Death.
(c) Love.
(d) Old age.

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

14. Which Nihal family member is said to be everyone's favorite?
(a) Begam Waheed.
(b) Habibuddin.
(c) Asghar.
(d) Mehro.

15. What does Bari tell Mushtari Bai she should do for him and Asghar?
(a) Make some food.
(b) Sing.
(c) Play the rubab.
(d) Dance.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where does Mir Nihal go on most evenings after dinner in Part I?

2. What do the adults tell the children causes dust storms?

3. During the dust storm, who eavesdrops on Begam Waheed and Begam Nihal's conversation about Asghar?

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

5. Why does Mir Nihal go to the Chowk on Friday evening?

(see the answer keys)

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