View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How many children does Raja have?

2. What does she do with the papers?

3. Where did Bim and Raja go to cool off in the summer evenings?

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

5. What episode at school upset Tara's emotions so much she seem obsessed with one of the teachers?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Bakul so shocked when Bim says she has made a decision?

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

3. Why does the author use the episodes of the mad dog, the young teacher, and the bees to describe Tara's character?

4. In your opinion, has Bim always been this way and Tara never saw it, or has Bim changed over the years?

5. Describe the children's mother

6. How does Bim see their childhood?

7. Describe Bim as Tara sees her in this chapter.

8. How did Tara remember the incident when Bim was stung by bees?

9. What is the symbolism of Bim tearing up Raja's old letter concerning the rent?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Tara and Bim are sisters, but their personalities are very different. Describe each of the sisters and compare them in the following ways:

1) visions of the future

2) learning and school

3) handling adversity

4) finding love and happiness in their lives

Essay Topic 2

What is the symbolism of the cow in the plot? Does it represent the innocence of the children, the indentured servitude of Aunt Mira, lost hopes, or is it just a cow?

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 629 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample