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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 the invitation Yvette offers to Salim?

2. What upsets Indar when he sees the fake Hindu decorations at the Indian High Commission?

3. What does Raymond suggest is one of the President's greatest powers?

4. What happens when Salim goes to Yvette's house for lunch?

5. What is Indar's problem with Shoba and Mahesh?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Indar think moving African intellectuals around the continent would be good for Africa?

2. How does Salim react to Nazruddin's letter from Uganda?

3. How does Salim learn more about Raymond?

4. What was the social gaffe that got Yvette excluded for the President's social events?

5. What encouragement did a woman lecturer give Indar in England?

6. What does Indar tell Salim about his plans for his future?

7. How does Salim begin to compare himself with Mahesh?

8. Explain who initiates the affair between Salim and Yvette.

9. What do Salim and Metty observe from the President's radio broadcast?

10. Why do Indar and Ferdinand both board the steamer at the same time?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Using the Domain and the houses occupied by Indar and Raymond and Yvette, write an essay about the shallowness of appearances. Using Salim's shame at showing his store and flat to Indar, discuss how putting on airs by rich appearances is ultimately not authentic.

Essay Topic 2

The subject of sex is difficult to write about tastefully. However, in many novels such as A BEND IN THE RIVER, it is essential to the story line. Write an essay on how you think Naipaul handled the subject.

Essay Topic 3

Take the old saying, "It takes one to know one," and compare it to the meeting of Indar and Mahesh and his wife, Shoba. In Chapter 6, Metty recognizes a slave girl when she keeps coming to the store looking for him. Write an essay about how people can spot the faults in others that they have in themselves.

(see the answer keys)

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