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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. From where did the woman in the window above the lavendar gate recognize Saddam and Ishrat in Chapter 5?

2. What does the protagonist in Chapter 1 use to sooth her hurts and blows?

3. Why does the narrator say that "Not many noticed the passing of the friendly old birds" (5) in the Prologue?

4. How did Jahanara feel initially after discovering the "girl part" (11) on Aftab?

5. When did the narrator of Chapter 7 meet the woman who had left his upstairs apartment in Chapter 7?

Short Essay Questions

1. What led to Saddam Hussein's name change?

2. How did Biplab Dasgupta feel about the concept of jihad when he was stationed as Deputy Station Head for the Bureau in Srinagar?

3. Why were Anjum, Mr. Aggarwal, and Ustad Hameed arrested in Chapter 3?

4. How old was Atfat when his mother finally told his father about his condition? How did Mulaqat Ali respond?

5. How does the narrator describe Anjum's arrival at the cemetery in Chapter 2? Why did she go there?

6. How is Tilo's appearance described during her second wedding? What caused this change in appearance?

7. Compare and contrast the characters of Biplab Dasgupta and Dr. Azad Bhartiya.

8. How is the protagonist described as living in the cemetery in Chapter 1?

9. How did Aftab come to be introduced to the setting of the Khwabgah? What does "Khwabgah" translate to in English?

10. Where was Hazrat Sarmad Shaheed from and why did he come to India?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze and discuss the character of Tilo in The Ministry of Utmost Happiness. Is Tilo a protagonist or antagonist? Why? What is revealed of Tilo's backstory and her family? What do Tilo's actions reveal about her character?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the characters of Miss Jebeen the First and Miss Jebeen the Second. Are these characters related? What led to Miss Jebeen the First's death? Who died with her? Where was she buried? How does her life compare with that of Miss Jebeen the Second?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the theme of gender and gender identity in The Ministry of Utmost Happiness. What are hijras and what is the history of their culture within Indian society? How does the author explore the theme of gender through symbolism? How is it explored through character?

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