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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. How do the Ganguli family friends react to the news of Ashoke's death?

2. How has Dimitri changed since Moushumi first met him?

3. Why doesn't Gogol enjoy the trip to Paris with Moushumi as much as he expected?

4. What does Gogol do as soon as he gets the news of his father's death?

5. How does Maxine treat Gogol's parents when they visit on their way to New Hampshire?

Short Essay Questions

1. What bothers Gogol when he goes to Paris with Moushumi when she lectures there?

2. What does Moushumi reveal about her past that she finds humiliating?

3. How does Gogol plan to present Moushumi with the tickets?

4. What do Gogol and Moushumi decide to do with the money they receive as wedding presents?

5. What does Gogol do when he learns of his father's death?

6. What do Gogol and Moushumi have in common when they first meet?

7. What call does Ashima get while working on the Christmas cards?

8. What do Moushumi and Dimitri do when they meet?

9. What happens the day after Gogol meets a girl named Maxine?

10. What does Ashima do by herself with her husband in Ohio?

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

One main theme of this novel is culture shock. Cite instances from the book that can exemplify possible real life experiences of any second-generation immigrant to America and that are not just examples Indian-American immigrants might experience. Do you believe this book is more about culture shock or about the Indian American experience? Cite examples to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Distance is one major theme in this novel. Explore the author's use of distance in the book, both physical and emotional, and tell how and where it is found and what the author accomplishes by using this theme. Cite examples from the story to support your answer.

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