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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. How does Bim treat Tara, even as an adult?

2. As Tara gets older, she no longer seeks comfort from Aunt Mira. Where does she go?

3. What does Tara see in Bim that she never saw before?

4. Who was sent to fetch them?

5. What does Baba say?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the symbolism of Tara's words to Bim pouring out of her quickly on the day of her departure?

2. Why does Tara fail so miserably in school?

3. Describe the word games the children played to pass the time.

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

5. Describe the children's mother

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the relationship between Bakul and Tara, using dialogue and action to make your points. In your opinion, did the marriage change when Tara realized how mistaken she had been about her family members all these years?

Essay Topic 2

Choose one of the predominant themes of this novel and explore how the author presented the theme via dialogue, symbolism, characters, etc.

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 579 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample