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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. In the book's final line, what is night said to cover up "in its blanket of darkness and gloom" (200)?
(a) The "empires of the world."
(b) "Mir Nihal's fragmented dreams."
(c) The "fortunes and misfortunes of Hindustan."
(d) "God's creation and His plans."

2. Besides the Koran, what sits between Asghar and Bilqeece during the ceremony of seeing the bride's face?
(a) A cooking pot.
(b) A mirror.
(c) A purse of coins.
(d) A plate of sweets and nuts.

3. What reason does Asghar give his mother for wanting to remarry?
(a) It is embarrassing for him to be unmarried.
(b) Jahan Ara needs a mother.
(c) He is lonely.
(d) He is in love with Zohra.

4. In Part III, Chapter 5, who gets Asghar a job?
(a) His brother.
(b) His best friend.
(c) His father-in-law.
(d) His father.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What happens shortly after Bilqeece gives birth to her daughter?

2. In what year does Part IV, Chapter 1 begin?

3. Who is Blind Hafizji?

4. In the story that Saeed Hasan tells in Part III about the farmer and his daughter, what does the daughter discover?

5. How old is Zohra in Part IV, Chapter 5?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does a choice made by a servant end up affecting the course of Asghar's future at the end of the novel?

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

3. How does Zohra end up confessing her feelings to Asghar?

4. How does Asghar behave in the months immediately following Bilqeece's death?

5. What happens with the paste of "herbs and drugs good for the complexion" (119)?

6. What does the narrator say about prayers and God in the context of the pandemic?

7. Explain why Begam Nihal falls on the stairs and what is done for her afterward.

8. Explain what Mir Nihal's grandchildren do that makes him so angry, and tell how he responds to their misbehavior.

9. What contrasting emotions do Asghar and Bilqeece feel when the time comes for Asghar to take her home to his house?

10. Describe Mehro's groom.

(see the answer keys)

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