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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 was the love of Hazrat Sarmad Shaheed's life for whom he traveled to Delhi?

2. What was Mulaqat Ali's profession?

3. In Chapter 2, Anjun recalls the government army having shouted "Only one place for the Mussalman! The graveyard or" (66) where?

4. What did Anjum use to sleep on in the cemetery in Chapter 3?

5. Who is described as a building contractor and Anjun's friend who visited her at the cemetery in Chapter 2?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is the significance of the vultures' deaths in the Prologue?

3. What information is announced on Dr. Azad Bhartiya's sign?

4. How does the structure differ in Chapter 6 from the rest of the narrative? What is this chapter comprised of?

5. What information is related in the document from the social worker in Clovis, California that Biplab Dasgupta found in Chapter 7?

6. What led to Hazrat Sarmad Shaheed's execution? How was he killed?

7. What aspects of the government and the current circumstances was Dr. Azad Bhartiya protesting? How?

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

9. How did Jahanara Begum react when she first discovered her "son's" sexual circumstances? Why?

10. What is signfificant about Zakir Mian's presence in Chapter 2?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the character of Biplab Dasgupta. Why do you think that this is the only character who has a first-person narrative? How does Biplab Dasgupta further the plot of the novel? What becomes of him by the end of the story?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

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?

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