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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 kind of daily routine do Gogol and Maxine follow at the summer home in New Hampshire?

2. How did Moushumi's engagement end?

3. What does Moushumi do with Dimitri's resume?

4. Why does Ashima make her own Christmas cards?

5. What does Moushumi wear for her wedding?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What happens to change a friendly evening into an intimate encounter between Mushumi and Gogol?

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

4. Why does Gogol agree to visit his family when he'd rather go to New Hampshire with Maxine's family?

5. What does Moushumi do while married to Gogol and feeling discontented with life?

6. What does Gogol do after graduating from college?

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

8. When bothers Gogol after he and Moushumi return to New York after a trip to Paris?

9. What kind of wedding do Gogol and Moushumi have?

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

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.

Essay Topic 2

Moushumi experiences much the same cultural ambivalence as Gogol. Explain why this is so and cite scenes from the book that show this ambivalence.

Essay Topic 3

Ashima Ganguli is a pivotal character in the novel. Explore the character of Ashima throughout the book and explain how she evolves. Focus on her independence, her acceptance of the American lifestyle and her support of her childrens' choice of lifestyles. Cite examples from the book to support your answers.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 630 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample