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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. Who informs Lakshmi that Monica is gone in "No Remedy"?

2. How much money does Lakshmi discover her customers are paying for her in "The Customers"?

3. What are the four "American words" that Lakshmi has learned in "A Strange Vocabulary"?

4. What is lassi made from?

5. What does Lakshmi respond when Harish asks her each day, "How are you today?"

Short Essay Questions

1. How is Lakshmi's new room described in "In My New Room"? With whom does she share the room?

2. Why is Lakshmi relocated to a different room at Happiness House in "Changes"?

3. What does Lakshmi experience when she first leaves the locked room at Happiness House?

4. What gifts do Lakshmi and Harish exchange during the Festival of Brothers and Sisters?

5. How has Lakshmi's self-image changed in Section 4? How does she compare herself to the other girls at Happiness House?

6. How is Western culture presented in Section 3? How do the characters in the story perceive Western culture?

7. How does Monica describe her "accomplishments" at Happiness House in "Understanding Monica"?

8. What are the repercussions when Lakshmi becomes ill in "The Cost of a Cure"?

9. How are children perceived at Happiness House? How many of the prostitutes have children?

10. How are the characters of Pushpa and Anita described when Lakshmi first meets them?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and analyze the characters of Bajai Sita and Auntie Bimla in the narrative. What is Bajai Sita’s position in Lakshmi’s village? Why does Auntie Bimla agree to take Lakshmi with her? What are the underlying motivations (objectives) of these characters?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the character of Gita in the novel. How long ago was Gita sent to the city to work as a maid? How has her family benefited from Gita’s work? How does Lakshmi feel about the absence of her friend? Do you think that Gita really went to work as a maid, or do you think she was sold into slavery as well? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze and discuss the character of Lakshmi’s stepfather in the narrative. Why does Lakshmi’s stepfather not work in the factories like the other men his age? How long has Ama been married to Lakshmi’s stepfather? Why is Lakshmi’s stepfather a hindrance to the family financially?

(see the answer keys)

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