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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How long does Ira's marriage last?
(a) Five years.
(b) Three years.
(c) Two years.
(d) Ten years.

2. What do Nathan's sons do on their one day off from the tannery each week?
(a) They help their mother with household chores.
(b) They work with Nathan in the fields.
(c) They spend their time in the local tavern.
(d) They travel to the nearby village to see their friends.

3. Who are among the first to work in the tannery?
(a) Janaki's two eldest sons.
(b) Kali's two eldest sons.
(c) Kunthi's two eldest sons.
(d) Rukmani's two eldest sons.

4. When the villagers learn that Rukmani can write, there are mixed reactions. Which one of the villagers marvels at Rukmani's writing skill?
(a) Janaki.
(b) Kali.
(c) Biswas.
(d) Kunthi.

5. When the construction workers leave the village, some of the villagers are disappointed. Why?
(a) The villagers liked the excitement the men brought with them.
(b) The village is once again too quiet.
(c) The men told great stories about foreign lands.
(d) The men spent their money lavishly.

Short Answer Questions

1. How many nights does the monsoon last?

2. Whose hut is completely destroyed by the monsoon?

3. Nathan hangs a garland of mango leaves across the doorway to welcome Rukmani to her new house. What do the mango leaves symbolize?

4. As the story opens, what is Rukmani dreaming of?

5. Who does Rukmani trust to find a suitable husband for Ira?

Short Essay Questions

1. When does Rukmani realize that Nathan is sick?

2. When Rukmani and Nathan meet Murugan's wife, what does she tell them?

3. What do both Nathan and Kenny tell Rukmani regarding Ira's child and they manner in which it was conceived?

4. When the men start building the tannery, they seem pleased to have drawn such a loud crowd. How does the overseer in particular behave?

5. When Nathan questions why Rukmani is grieving, what does she tell him?

6. At first, Nathan pays no attention to his new daughter. Why?

7. Rukmani muses that her husband is indeed a patient man for putting up with her in the early days of her marriage. Why does she feel this way?

8. Why do Rukmani and Nathan not stay with Murugan's wife?

9. What advice does Kali give to Nathan and Rukmani regarding Ira?

10. When Rukmani learns that Ira is barren, what does she immediately think of?

(see the answer keys)

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