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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. Where is Rukmani when she meets the other women?

2. Why does Ira's husband refuse to take her back?

3. Which of Rukmani's children is the most stubborn?

4. How old is their daughter before Nathan finally starts taking an interest in her?

5. Why does Kenny not remain in the village for long periods of time?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 14, why does Rukmani give Kunthi what she has demanded?

2. At the end of the strike's first week, what do the tannery officials announce?

3. Why does Rukmani's mother never reproach her for the long intervals between Rukmani's visits home?

4. When Rukmani and Nathan awaken from their first night's sleep in the city, why do they not eat breakfast before heading out to find their son?

5. When the landlord's assistant comes to collect the rent, he feels bad for Rukmani and Nathan. Why?

6. The monsoon season strikes early. How does the village fair?

7. At the beginning of Chapter 28, Rukmani is very excited. Why?

8. In the early days of their marriage, Rukmani and Nathan feel blessed. Why?

9. Why does Kenny think Selvam would be a good assistant?

10. Why do the villagers travel to Rukmani's home to see Ira's new child?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There were a number of coping methods that helped the various characters in the story deal with situations in their lives. How did the following people cope? Be sure to describe a particular situation in the story and tell how they dealt with the situation.

a. Rukmani

b. Ira

c. Kunthi

d. Kenny

Essay Topic 2

Puli plays a very important and pivotal role in the latter part of the story.

a. Why do Nathan and Rukmani become attached to Puli? How does Puli benefit from their relationship? How do Nathan and Rukmani benefit from their relationship?

b. Puli is both a hardened city dweller and a little boy at the same time. Describe incidents of each side of the boy.

c. The introduction of Puli to Rukmani's family is significant. How is Puli introduced to Rukmani's family and what is significant about the introduction?

Essay Topic 3

In the Indian village, daughters are seen as a burden, while sons are seen as a benefit.

a. Why are daughters seen as a burden? Give examples from the story to support your reasoning.

b. Why are sons seen as a benefit? Give examples from the story to support your reasoning.

c. Is the same true today, daughters are a burden, while sons are a benefit? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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