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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. What does Ashoke do that reminds Ashima of the time he visited her parents' home?

2. When does the idea to change his name first occur to Gogol?

3. How many invited Indian immigrants come to Gogol's second birthday party?

4. What is the one complication about Gogol/Nikhil's new name?

5. What happens when the Ganguli family enters the Dum Dum Airport?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Ashima think about while in labor?

2. At college after changing his name, how does Gogol react to being called by his new name?

3. What type of home do the Gangulis settle down in to raise their family?

4. Why doesn't Ashima's grandmother name their grandchild as Ashima and Ashoke requested?

5. Why doesn't Gogol look forward to his fourteenth birthday party?

6. Who befriends Ashima at the hospital and how?

7. Why is Ashima afraid while in labor?

8. Why doesn't the school call Gogol by the name Nikhil?

9. What do the Gangulis do differently when naming their daughter Sonali than they did when Gogol was born?

10. How do Ashima and Ashoke feel about Ruth when they learn of their son's girlfriend?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author's descriptive style of writing is simple and straight-forward, helping her win a Pulitzer Prize. She uses it for both the story itself and to describe the settings. Do you believe this style works for both? Does this style work to delve deeply into the character's minds? Tell why you think the way you do. Did she do a better job of describing Indian immigrants or every-day native-born Americans? Tell why or why not. Cite examples from the novel to support your case.

Essay Topic 2

Ashoke's near-death experience is a theme of the novel. Describe this experience and how it affects his later decisions in life. Tell how those decisions affect the lives of the people close to him. Cite scenes or situations in the novel to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

What significance does the title of this book hold? Why would the book be called this? Why would the book be called this? What does it symbolize within the novel? Please explore the meaning of the title through the character of Gogol.

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This section contains 685 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample