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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. What is Archie's job?

2. What does Clara's witnessing sash say?

3. What do the village children want from Archie?

4. What color was Clara's wedding dress?

5. What is it that Neena believes will improve relationships?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is the place named "O'Connell's"?

2. What changes does Clara begin to notice in Ryan after he meets her mother?

3. Why does Samad arrive in Harlesden fifteen minutes early?

4. Why does Hortense Bowden consider both herself and her daughter to be miracles?

5. How does Clara's speech change when she is excited?

6. What is it that Samad says that brings Katie Miniver, chairwoman of the school governors, to the brink of tears?

7. Describe the difference between Millat and Magid Iqbal.

8. Why has O'Connell's become so important to Samad and Archie?

9. Describe Clara Bowden.

10. What does the registrar who marries Clara and Archie silently compare them to?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the truth of this statement: Every moment happens twice: inside and outside, and they are two different histories.

Essay Topic 2

Several of Smith's male characters have aspirations to being heroes. Choose two characters and compare and contrast their feelings about heroism and what, if anything, they do to achieve that status.

Essay Topic 3

How would the story have been different if Millat had gone to Pakistan and Magid had stayed in England?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 761 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample