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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. Why is Tara so shocked at Bim's descriptions of Raja and his family?

2. When Bakul sees Bim at her desk the next morning and offers to help with speaking to Sharma, what is her reaction?

3. How does Bim handle her anger at Raja for growing up and away from the other children?

4. How many children does Raja have?

5. What sort of books does Tara read?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Tara fail so miserably in school?

2. How was Mira treated by her dead husband's family?

3. Why did Tara think her father was trying to kill her mother?

4. Why is the episode with the cow so important to this novel?

5. Describe the children's mother

6. Why does Bim resist everything Tara says and mocks Bakul's words?

7. Why does Bim take out her rage on Baba?

8. What is symbolic about Tara holding Bim's hand on the day of their departure?

9. On page 115, the children ask Mira why their parents play cards, and Mira thinks the answer is obvious. What do you think is the reason?

10. What is the symbolism the author is relaying when she describes childhood games where the sisters are never able to catch their older brother?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Read over the poetry lines used by the author in this novel, which are used as a plot device. What was the purpose of each insertion into the story line? Does it work?

Essay Topic 2

When Raja and Bim are children, they are close, best friends. As he ages, Raja turns away from Bim, until he finally leaves her. Describe the evolution of this relationship, and your explanation for Raja's decision to leave the family home?

Essay Topic 3

Raja admires Hyder Ali Sahib from the moment he first sees him. How did Hyder Ali Sahib's attention to the young Hindi man affect Raja's life?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 612 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample