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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 does Elliot notice by the door the first time he visits Mrs. Sen's apartment?

2. What is Laxmi always eating at her desk?

3. What is the name of the department store where Miranda meets Dev?

4. From whose point of view is "The Treatment of Bibi Haldar" being told?

5. What did the neighbors think Bibi had never been taught correctly?

Short Essay Questions

1. After meeting Dev, what does Miranda find out about him?

2. Describe Bibi Haldar.

3. What do two "doctors" tell Bibi is the cure to her mysterious condition?

4. Describe where and how Mrs. Sen practices her driving.

5. What sad story does Laxmi tell Miranda about her cousin's marriage?

6. Why are whole, fresh fish important to Mrs. Sen?

7. What ends up happening to Bibi after her cousin abandons her?

8. What do Dev and Miranda do one day when they are walking around Boston? What does Dev tell her during this outing?

9. Please describe the Sens' experiences at the seaside with Elliot, as well as their drive home.

10. What happens to Bibi when her cousin's wife becomes pregnant?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss what Lilia's father means when he says: "But what does she learn about the world?" How does the dichotomy of being part of two cultures impart a knowledge that can't be taught in American schools? What view of American learning do you think Lahiri was trying to impart through these stories?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the use of symbolic objects throughout all the stories. Choose five particular objects to discuss how they were used symbolically to illuminate themes, distinguish characters and advance the plot.

Essay Topic 3

What different ways is a sense of community viewed in the stories set in India versus the stories set in the U.S.? What importance does community play in all the stories?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,064 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample