Question 1

In the novel, A Bend in the River, Salim starts an affair with the wife of Raymond named

Accepted Answer

A) Yvette 
B) Georgina 
C) Zabeth 
D) Shoba

Question 2

What is the significance of Ferdinand's question about religion?

Accepted Answer

A) It shows that politics and religion will always be at odds. 
B) It shows that young Africans are looking for a way out of their old religions. 
C) It shows some of the struggle of socializing men with tribal roots into citizens of a modern state. 
D) It shows that Ferdinand is thinking of becoming a magician like Zabeth.

Question 3

When Salim finds out that Raymond was the 'Big man's white man' why was he thrilled?

Accepted Answer

A) Because Salim thinks that Raymond could help him 
B) Because Salim wants to be closer to Raymond's wife 
C) Because Salim thinks Raymond could take him away 
D) Because Salim thinks Raymond to be the highest power in the land

Question 4

Salim gets involved in the illegal smuggling of

Accepted Answer

A) Ivory and gold 
B) Gold and silver 
C) Gold and copper 
D) Ivory and copper

Question 5

How does the purser on the steamer show that he does not respect the President in A Bend in the River?

Accepted Answer

A) He speaks French which the President has banned. 
B) He sneers every time the President is mentioned. 
C) He puts a cloth over the President's portrait. 
D) He sits down when the national anthem is played.

Question 6

Salim travels to London to visit

Accepted Answer

A) Nazruddin 
B) Winterbottom 
C) Soraya 
D) Ezeulu

Question 7

Why is Salim jailed?

Accepted Answer

A) Because he cannot pay the $4000 fine. 
B) Because he defamed the President 
C) Because he beat up Metty 
D) Because he refused to work for Theo

Question 8

What surprising action does the President take for the town in A Bend in the River?

Accepted Answer

A) He waives taxes for the town. 
B) He is disbanding the Youth Guard in Salim's area. 
C) He plans to completely renovate the town. 
D) He declares martial law in the town.

Question 9

What do the townspeople in A Bend in the River speculate about the new complex?

Accepted Answer

A) That it will be a munitions factory. 
B) That it will be a model farm and agriculture school. 
C) That it will be a large hospital. 
D) That it will be the President's winter palace.

Question 10

What does Shoba do when she returns?

Accepted Answer

A) She announces that she is pregnant. 
B) She goes into isolation. 
C) She opens a beauty salon. 
D) She refuses to speak to Mahesh.

Question 11

What is Indar's moment of insight?

Accepted Answer

A) He understands that he was meant to write the African story. 
B) He realizes he must return to his roots to be happy. 
C) He knows without a doubt that he belongs to himself alone and would surrender his manhood to nobody. 
D) He sees he has not marketed himself correctly.

Question 12

What does Indar mean when he tells Salim he's where it's at?

Accepted Answer

A) Where everything will come to an end. 
B) Where these is the peace of obscurity. 
C) Where big things are happening. 
D) Where the new revolution will start.

Question 13

Who is the surprise visitor to Salim's store?

Accepted Answer

A) Zabeth's husband 
B) The President 
C) Indar 
D) Salim's brother

Question 14

Why was Indar turned down at the Indian High Commission?

Accepted Answer

A) He is not a Hindu. 
B) He does not speak Hindi. 
C) He is too young. 
D) He is not a citizen of India.

Question 15

What has happened to the European statues in the Capital city in A Bend in the River?

Accepted Answer

A) They have been polished to look good. 
B) They have all been moved to the President's palace. 
C) They have been melted down for the copper. 
D) They have been replaced with statues of African tribesmen.

Question 16

What word does Indar say kept his spirits high when he first arrived in London?

Accepted Answer

A) "University" seemed like a magic word, and Indar thought a magic life awaited him. 
B) "Opportunity" was Indar's magic word in London. 
C) "Education" was the word that meant the most to him. 
D) "Career" was the magic word that drove him to study hard.

Question 17

What does the river symbolise in The Bend in the River

Accepted Answer

A) Lifeline of the people 
B) A connection between the past and present 
C) The drinking water shared by the people 
D) None of the above

Question 18

What was wrong with Mahesh's engraving machine that makes signs?

Accepted Answer

A) The machine was too complicated for him to operate. 
B) It was impossible to assemble. 
C) He could not get the raw materials to make the signs. 
D) No one needed signs.

Question 19

"The New Domain" covers several years during which the country is in a period of

Accepted Answer

A) Economic prosperity 
B) Social prosperity 
C) Political prosperity 
D) Religious prosperity

Exam 1: Bend in the river - V.S.Naipaul