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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. Where does Amisha spend the night after Deepak leaves in Chapter 38?

2. How does Deepak find out about Lena's real father?

3. Why does Ravi ultimately agree to whip Amisha?

4. Who does Amisha tell her class is fighting for Indian independence?

5. Who arrives unexpectedly in Chapter 50?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where do Samir and Jay go off to study when they are older?

2. What is the day of Raksha Bandhan?

3. Why does Jaya want to bring Misha and Amit to America?

4. How does Ravi learn about Lena's marriage prospects?

5. How to Stephen and Amisha communicate after she stops teaching at the school?

6. What does Jaya do while at the orphanage?

7. To whom does Jaya give her basket filled with color-balloons?

8. What is the nature of Misha's physical disability?

9. What does Jaya say when Amit asks her if there are untouchables in America?

10. In an Indian wedding, what do the coconut and rice symbolize?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

As early as the British rule of India, Amisha identifies America as a place of freedom and makes Deepak promise that her daughter will go there. Write an essay in which you examine the concept of America and what America represents in the novel. You may include observations from Jaya's and Amisha's sections and compare and contrast them. Use specific quotations from the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Marriage and weddings are a major theme within the novel. Use evidence from the text to analyze the author's portrayal of tradition Indian weddings. Are Indian weddings portrayed in a positive, negative, or nuanced manner? Use evidence from the text to support your opinion.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay in which you analyze the relationship between Amisha and Neema. Is their influence mutual or does it operate in one direction? Write an essay in which you explain the nature of their relationship and influence. Cite specific instances from the text to support your analysis.

(see the answer keys)

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