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. What does Koly see after Hari's cremation that makes her think of him?

2. What is Chandra's response when Koly questions her about the widow's pension?

3. When does Koly work on the activity she undertakes to remember Hari and soothe her soul?

4. What does Koly see being placed in the baggage car of the train before they embark on their trip to Varanasi?

5. What is Hari given upon arriving at the place where his family stays in Varanasi?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Chandra impressed by the qualifications of her intended husband?

2. Explain Chandra's expectations of her family's trip to the Ganges River.

3. Sass demands, for the second time, that Koly give her the silver earrings. Explain why keeping these earrings is so important to Koly in Chapter 5.

4. Describe Koly's prospective husband and family, and explain why this is considered a good match.

5. Explain how Koly's marriage is expected to benefit her family.

6. How is Hari's death addressed?

7. How does Sass justify her refusal to give Koly her pension money when Koly tells her she wants it?

8. Explain how Koly's parents earn income for the family.

9. Explain how Hari and Koly bond in their short first meeting.

10. Explain what Koly's daydreams consist of in Chapter 4, after Hari's death.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Sass is depicted as the epitome of an evil mother-in-law, while Sassur seems to be the stereotypical weak husband who lets his wife make all the decisions.

1) What would happen differently in the story if Sass was kind and yielding, and Sassur bitter and resentful toward Koly?

2) What positive outcomes are there for Koly that stem from negative events between her and Sass? Be specific.

3) Sass and Koly end up in the same position, as widows, yet Sass does not seem to soften her heart to Koly at all. Does Sass deserve to end up in this position? What do you predict lies in her future?

Essay Topic 2

Quilts and saris represent femininity and elegance in a world that otherwise dismisses any female as being of little value. Compare Koly's life to a quilt or a sari. Explain why you chose the item you did.

Essay Topic 3

The metaphor of Koly as a homeless bird has significance in many places of the story. Choose one of the options below to write about.

1) Analyze the use of animals in the novel to symbolize Koly's plight, to ease her loneliness, and to serve other purposes.

2) Choose two other characters and use a metaphor to describe their situations in the story. Use examples to explain your choices.

3) Describe how Koly's journey towards freedom required her to break out of many cages.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,221 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample