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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 time is it when Lata's party almost hits a child in the streets going home from the club in Part 7?

2. Arun's wife supposedly had what melted into earrings in Part 7?

3. Who learns how his father refused to help an old man who eventually died from want in Part 8?

4. Who becomes infatuated with Saeeda Bai at the holy festivals in Part 2?

5. Maan Kapoor is the son of what official in India?

Short Essay Questions

1. What conflicts arise in Part 11?

2. What is revealed in Mrs. Rupa Mehra's letter in Part 6?

3. What news does Mrs. Rupa Mehra learn from a letter in Part 15? What prevents her leaving?

4. What happens with Mahesh Kapoor's political campaign in Part 14? What becomes a central debate in the election?

5. What political conflicts take place in Parliament in Part 5? What is the central political issue?

6. What is the central concern of the Kapoor family in Part 16? What concerns are there of Maan?

7. What is Mrs. Rupa Mehra's opinion of Haresh in Part 9? What does Lata think of Haresh?

8. What political actions does Mahesh Kapoor take in Part 14? Why?

9. How does Vikram Seth establish the conflicts between Muslims and Hindus symbolically in Part 2?

10. Where is a dinner party held in Part 7? What does the conversation center on?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the relationship between Nawab Sahib and Mahesh Kapoor in the narrative. How are their differences overlooked? How does their friendship become strained?

Essay Topic 2

Describe Lata's night out with her in-laws in Part 7. How is the social life of Lata and the other young people depicted at the cocktail party and the disco? How does this juxtapose against Mrs. Rupa Mehra's traditional views?

Essay Topic 3

Describe Mrs. Rupa Mehra's character. How many children does she have? What does Mrs. Rupa represent in terms of tradition?

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