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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. In the prologue, why is Mr. Biswas pleased with his wife Shama?

2. After his father's death, where does Mr. Biswas live?

3. During his illness, what happens to the house that Mr. Biswas was constructing?

4. What does Sharma blame for the failure of the store?

5. After recovering from his illness, how does Mr. Biswas view his past?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the circumstances surrounding the birth of Shama's first child.

2. How does Mr. Biswas attempt to improve the store's financial situation?

3. Why does Mr. Biswas consider himself a successful man?

4. Why do the Tulsis consider Mr. Biswas a rebel?

5. Describe Mr. Biswas.

6. What explanation does Shama give for the store's financial problems?

7. Describe the events leading to Mr. Biswas and Shama's courtship and marriage.

8. What must Mr. Biswas and Shama do to reopen their shop and house in The Chase?

9. How does Shama react when Mr. Biswas loses his job?

10. How does Mr. Biswas express his displeasure with his in-laws and his communal living situation?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Mr. Biswas suffered from a short period of depression. Describe potential causes for his depression and the effects it has on his character. What factors lead to his depression? How does the depression affect his character? What is the pivotal factor that helps him overcome his depression? What other factors assist him in overcoming his depression?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the influence the farming venture at Shorthills had on the characters in the novel. What influenced the Tulsi family to try farming? What factors lead to the farm's demise? How does the failure of the farm affect the characters?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the power struggles evident in the book. Which characters are perpetually locked in a bid for power within the family? What factors assist characters in gaining or losing power? How do the power struggles evident among the adult characters affect the children? What cycle of power is evident in the book, and how does Mr. Biswas attempt to break that cycle?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,070 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample