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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. After the younger people feed Asghar sweets in Part III, what do the older people put in his hands?
(a) Pinches of spice.
(b) Golden beads.
(c) Nuts.
(d) Coins.

2. Who goes home with Asghar on the night in June when Bilqeece's heath takes a turn for the worse?
(a) Shams and Mir Nihal.
(b) Begam Nihal and Begam Waheed.
(c) Dilchain and Masroor.
(d) Zohra and Begam Shahbaz.

3. When Bilqeece realizes that she is near death, what does she do?
(a) Hallucinates that death is in the room with her.
(b) Begins to pray with a set of prayer beads.
(c) Has someone call Asghar into the room.
(d) Asks Begam Shahbaz to take Jehan Ara outside.

4. What does Mir Nihal think about the new music that he hears in the streets outside his house in Part IV?
(a) It does not offer God the appropriate gratitude.
(b) The words are vulgar and sentimental.
(c) The melodies are clearly influenced by the West.
(d) It is inappropriate for women to be singing in the streets.

5. How old was Begam Nihal when she married Mir Nihal?
(a) 16.
(b) 15.
(c) 13.
(d) 12.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Bilqeece have a nightmare about in Part III?

2. What does Asghar buy Bilqeece to wear at Mehro's wedding?

3. From what bird does Kambal Shah suggest an "oil" be made to help Mir Nihal (157)?

4. In Part III, Chapter 5, who gets Asghar a job?

5. What does Mir Nihal do to pass the time while he is stuck in bed following his stroke?

Short Essay Questions

1. What complaints does the narrator make against the grave diggers, cloth merchants, and body washers?

2. Why is Ghafoor somewhat "quiet and subdued" in Chapter 6?

3. What does Asghar believe is the "one thing that kept the heart of man alive," and why does he believe this (182)?

4. What does the narrator say families have to understand about raising daughters?

5. In Chapter 7, what has changed in Asghar's relationship with his wife?

6. In Chapter 6, what does Asghar find out has happened to Mirza's son, and how does Asghar react?

7. What are Saeed Hasan's views about Indian independence, and why?

8. Describe the ceremonies in Chapter 1 that are intended to "sweeten" the bride's and groom's mouths.

9. Describe Mehro's life and marriage during this time period.

10. In Chapter 7, when Bilqeece finally musters the courage to ask Asghar what is wrong, what does he tell her, and how does she react?

(see the answer keys)

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