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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. Who does the Beggarmaster say is in charge of deciding the fate of the slums?

2. Who comes to cut Shankar's hair in Chapter 14?

3. Who teaches Om to eat with a knife and fork?

4. Who has killed the Prime Minister?

5. Whose idea was it that all four characters eat dinner together in Chapter 10?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Om and Ishvar see when they visit their old boss, Jeevan?

2. How does Ibrahim react after Dina's apartment is destroyed?

3. What living conditions do the tailors see when they are returning home on their first night of freedom, and how does the Beggarmaster explain it?

4. What do Om and Maneck do during their vacation from work?

5. How does Om lose his testicles?

6. How does the Beggarmaster know that he is related to Shankar?

7. Why does Rajaram want to move to the Himalayas?

8. What happens when Om begins to itch with lice?

9. Why does Dina lose her apartment?

10. How does Maneck die?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are many different landscapes over which this novel takes place: the mountains, the slums, and the cities. Briefly explain what do you think each of these landscapes represents, and why do you think Mistry chose to set certain events of the novel within each of these landscapes?

Essay Topic 2

The idea of social hierarchy is very strong within this novel.

Part 1.) Explain the ways that the main characters fit into the social hierarchy.

Part 2.) Choose one character and give three examples of ways that they attempt to claw their way up the social ladder.

Part 3) Explain the outcome of the character's struggle. Did it turn out to be a success, or a failure?

Essay Topic 3

When Maneck commits suicide at the end of the novel, his final thought is that he is happy to be holding the chess board. This thought is a bit ambiguous as to whether Maneck is feeling guilt, or if he is overwhelmed with the way that the world has turned out.

Part 1.) Argue what you believe to be the meaning to Maneck's final thoughts.

Part 2.) Argue why you think it was so important to Maneck that he is holding the chess board, especially after he spent years not taking care of it, or missing its presence.

(see the answer keys)

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