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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. On what street does Mani plan to attack Somu at night on his way to the market?

2. What does the Pea call Swami in Chapter 4, which makes Swami want to cry?

3. How does Swami’s mother’s face look when he visits her in her room in Chapter 7?

4. What does Mani bring to the clerk’s house in an effort to get him to tell him what is on the exam?

5. What argument for studying does Swami’s father make, which finally convinces Swami to study without argument?

Short Essay Questions

1. What class does Swami stare at while bored in Vendanayagam’s class in Chapter 1?

2. Who are Mani and Swami surprised to see when they arrive at Rajam’s house in Chapter 5 and why are they there?

3. What are Swami’s thoughts on the Infant Standard’s class described in Chapter 4?

4. What does Somu explain to Swami regarding his new nickname, Tail, in Chapter 4?

5. What does Swami say about Jesus in response to Mr. Ebenezar’s criticism of Hindu beliefs in Chapter 1?

6. What happens at Nallapas Grove between Mani and Rajam?

7. Who does Mani visit to find out what is on exams and what does this person tell Mani?

8. What does Mani tell Swami he plans to do to Rajam in Chapter 2?

9. Why has Swami’s mother been in bed for two days at the start of Chapter 7?

10. How does Swami prepare for Rajam’s first visit to his house in Chapter 5?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Swami and his friends start a cricket team and it so happens that Swami has a talent for cricket, though his school gets in the way of his practice. Analyze the symbolic significance of Swami’s experience with cricket.

Essay Topic 2

Swami speaks more openly with his grandmother when at home, yet also finds himself getting very angry with her. Analyze Swami’s relationship with his grandmother and how it represents the theme of Swami’s growing up.

Essay Topic 3

Swami visits Infant Standards at Albert Mission School a couple of times. Analyze Swami’s feelings toward the children in the class and interactions with the Infant Standards class. How do these moments develop the overall theme of the novel?

(see the answer keys)

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