View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What happened to Nazruddin in Canada?

2. What does Indar tell Salim about his arrival in London?

3. What amazes Salim about Raymond?

4. What has happened to the European statues in the Capital city?

5. What happens when Salim introduces Indar to Shoba and Mahesh?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain Zabeth's concern for her son Ferdinand.

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

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

4. What indicates the end to the boom times in the town?

5. Although already captivated by Yvette, why does Salim think he might not have become involved with her?

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

7. How does Salim learn more about Raymond?

8. Describe the beginning of the relationship between Salim and Yvette.

9. Explain the changes that took place with Salim's shop while he was away in London.

10. What is the situation between the President and Raymond?

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

Write a paper expressing your feelings about living in a free society as opposed to the picture of life in A BEND IN THE RIVER. Enumerate the things you enjoy that Salim and the people in the town did not. Use the idea of a thirty-year-old man attending his first party where there were women present as one of your points.

Essay Topic 3

Write a paper on the development of Ferdinand from the time he was sixteen-years-old until last seen in the novel as a young government official. Explain how Naipaul makes those changes and give your opinion as to how accurate he is in doing so.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 768 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample