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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. What department does Siddiqui work for at the college?

2. What does Deven suggest Siddiqui do to help him with his work with Nur?

3. What does Imtiaz tell Deven and Nur while she is in bed sick in Chapter 7?

4. What does the old woman say Imtiaz did before marrying Nur?

5. Why does the college Deven works for have an Urdu department?

Short Essay Questions

1. After being allowed one week's leave from the college, what plans does Deven have to break with Sarla?

2. Who is Siddiqui? How does he agree to help Deven with his interview with Nur?

3. Instead of getting a hotel, with whom does Deven stay while he is interviewing Nur? How does he know this person? How is this person described?

4. Describe Siddiqui's house. Why does he live there?

5. Why is Nur's interview room bare when Deven and Chiku enter at the start of Chapter 10?

6. What happens when Deven and Murad listen to the tapes of his interview with Nur? What does Murad suggest Deven do?

7. Though Deven goes to Nur's at a time when the is sure he should be alone, he finds a large crowd. Why are they there?

8. Who does Jain send with Deven to help edit his tapes? Is he helpful?

9. Describe Deven and Sarla's conversation about the fact that he no longer goes to Delhi at the start of Chapter 8.

10. Who is Chiku and what does Jain say he will do for Deven?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a detailed analysis of tone in Desai's In Custody. Include whether the tone changes or remains the same. If it changes, include details on when, why and whether this change is effective.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay comparing and contrasting Deven and Siddiqui in In Custody. What is their background? How do they know each other? How do they interact? In what ways are they similar or different? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss elements of the narrative structure: Exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? How does the story's structure express the novel's themes?

(see the answer keys)

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