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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 does Dr. Biswas say is wrong with Bim?

2. What skill do Raja and Bim possess and use throughout their childhood that Tara does not possess?

3. Who begins to show interest in Bim?

4. How does Tara, in this chapter, remember her parents?

5. What kind of business did the Misras brothers have and lose?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Tara so disturbed by Bim's remarks on the lawn with Bakul and the Misras?

2. Why do the children think of their father as the master of the entrance and the exit?

3. Describe the way Bim speaks to Tara, to Bakul and to Baba.

4. Describe Aunt Mira's behavior in this chapter.

5. What is symbolic about the father's car that was left in the garage after his death?

6. How does Tara feel about her youth? What makes her feel that way?

7. What is Tara's purpose in coming to the family home?

8. Describe the family home and the feeling you get about it.

9. Why do you think Bim believes she is seeing Aunt Mira's ghost in the garden?

10. Why does Bim show the letter from Raja to Tara?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author uses many symbols in the book to create a sense of place. Describe several of these, including the family pets, the garden path, and the unrest in the city.

Essay Topic 2

This novel is set over a number of years, but almost always in summer. How does the author use the oppressive heat, the wild noisy birds, and the overgrown foliage to create imagery and the feeling of heavy weight on her characters, their actions and their decisions?

Essay Topic 3

One evening along the Jumna River, the children encounter Hyder Ali Sahib on a horse. It affects each of them differently. Describe how the event was experienced by 1) Raja, 2) Baba, 3) Bim and 4) Tara.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 575 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample