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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 does the narrator say she buys Indian clothing after settling into her new place in Satipur?

2. What best describes the narrator's room when both Chid and Ritu are in it?

3. Who recommended the treatment that Ritu is receiving that makes her scream?

4. What paperwork does the narrator keep on her small desk in Part 1, Section 3?

5. What is the Begum?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Husband's Wedding Day significant to the narrator in Section 15?

2. Describe the narrator's room in Satipur City.

3. Describe the beggar the narrator notices and helps in Section 23.

4. Explain how the narrator's sleep is interrupted in Section 10.

5. Is Mrs. Saunders aware of Olivia's relationship with the Nawab in Section 24?

6. Based on her actions in Section 23, is the narrator a kindhearted person?

7. Describe a typical day for the narrator, according to her March 8th journal entry.

8. Are Mrs. Saunders and Olivia similar, based on their first meeting in Section 8?

9. Describe Chid's health in Section 30.

10. Describe Maji.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

At the end of Heat and Dust the narrator keeps her child and heads off to live on the mountainside. Explain the changes that she has experienced that allow her to make this move and these decisions at this point in her life. Consider the theme of appearance versus reality, the power of choice, and the ability to change in your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Consider each character listed below and their experience with the opposite sex in Heat and Dust. Using evidence from the novel, support the argument that the character's life has been or not been negatively impacted by that experience.

1) The Nawab.

2) The Narrator.

3) Inder Lal.

4) Olivia.

5) Ritu.

Essay Topic 3

Do the characters in Heat and Dust create their own destinies, or has life thrust circumstances upon them? Analyze this question for any 3 characters in the story. Be sure to select at least one character from Olivia's time and one from the minor time. Consider expectations, behavior, circumstances and attitudes.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,189 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample