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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. In order to earn enough money to return to their village, Nathan and Rukmani continue to work in the city in spite of the rain that begins to fall. How many days in a row does it rain?

2. In order to pay their rent, what is Rukmani forced to sell?

3. What is the name of Murugan's wife?

4. Why does Kenny not help Rukmani when ask. him for food during the drought?

5. Who do Nathan and Rukmani meet at the Collector's house?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Rukmani and Nathan travel to the city to find their son. Instead of finding their son, however, they find his wife and learn that their son has deserted her. Ammu is now a single mother, as is Ira back in the village. Single parenthood drastically changes both of their lives.

a. Compare and contrast the lives of Ammu and Ira as single parents.

b. Compare and contrast single parenthood in the novel and in our society.

c. How did living in the city versus being in the village impact the situations of both Ammu and Ira?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

The book summary describes this story as the story of a woman "whose life was a gallant and persistent battle to care for those she loved."

a. Do you agree or disagree with that description? Why or why not?

b. Give three examples of how Rukmani's life was gallant.

c. What, in your opinion, gives Rukmani the strength to get up and face each day no matter what the circumstances are?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 372 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample