Ch. 1 Quiz Review

At the start of the novel, where is Ashima Ganguli residing?

• New York City

• Central Square, Cambridge

• Alipore, India

• Chicago

What activity is Ashima engaged in when she initially feels labor pains?

• Sleeping

• Reading a book

• Preparing a snack from her childhood

• Walking in the park

What are Ashima's feelings about giving birth in the U.S. compared to the traditional birthing experience in India?

• She is excited about the modern medical care

• She feels isolated and longs for the traditional support system in India

• She believes American hospitals are better and safer

• She doesn’t notice any major differences

What is the reason Ashima refrains from saying her husband’s name?

• She does not know how to pronounce it

• It is considered improper for a Bengali wife to say her husband’s first name

• She dislikes his name

• She prefers using a nickname

Which important item links Ashoke to a traumatic event from his past?

• A broken watch

• A book by Nikolai Gogol

• A train ticket

• A photograph of his grandfather

What life-threatening event did Ashoke endure prior to the current events of the novel?

• A plane crash

• A fire in his home

• A train accident

• A car accident

Character Insight: What is Ashima's perception of American customs in contrast to Indian traditions?

• She eagerly embraces American culture

• She finds American customs strange and isolating

• She believes Indian traditions are outdated

• She thinks both cultures are nearly the same

Symbolism: What does Ashima’s combination of Rice Krispies, peanuts, and onion signify?

• Her longing for home and her attempt to recreate familiar flavors

• A pregnancy craving unique to American food

• A dish her mother used to make for her

• A new recipe she discovered in Cambridge

Language Error: What error does Ashima make when speaking English to her nurse?

• She confuses "fingers" and "toes"

• She mispronounces her husband's name

• She calls the nurse by the wrong name

• She forgets how to ask for water

Foreshadowing: In what way does Ashoke’s previous train accident hint at future developments in the novel?

• It hints at his deep connection to literature and names

• It suggests he will experience another accident

• It shows he is weak and unable to care for his family

• It has no significance beyond his past