The Namesake

45 - Read these sentences from paragraph 3. These sentences imply that Mrs. Lapidus --

• has made assumptions about the Gangulis because they are Indian American

• wants to reassure the Gangulis that Gogul will feel welcome among his Indian classmates

• is familiar with the Indian naming traditions that the Gangulis follow

• has worried about how the Gangulis will fit into the Indian American community at school

46 - In paragraph 26, Ashoke can best be described as --

• optimistic and irratable

• caring and critical

• compassionate and stern

• insightful and authoritarian

47 - What quotation foreshadows the ultimate decision to allow the boy to use the name "Gogul" at school instead of "Nikhil?"

• Though Mrs. Lapidus does not understand a word, she listens carefully, hears that name again. Gogol. Lightly, in pencil, she writes it down on the registration form.

• Gogol looks down at his sneakers. The way the principal pronounces his new name is different from the way his parents say it, the second part of it longer, sounding like “heel.”

• She bends down so that her face is level with his, and extends a hand to his shoulder. “Can you tell me how old you are, Nikhil?”

• He thanks Mrs. Lapidus. “Be good, Nikhil,” he says in English. And then, after a moment’s hesitation, he is gone.

48 - Read this sentence from paragraph 1. The author uses figurative language in this sentence to reveal that --

• the letter failed to reach Ashima because it was lost in the mail

• Ashima was too upset to read the letter when it finally arrived

• the letter had expressed the last wish of Ashima's grandmother

• Ashima's grandmother had hoped that the letter would unite the two cultures

49 - The description of the setting in the last paragraph of the story suggests that Gogul will --

• continue to feel anxious when he speaks to Mrs. Lapidus

• have trouble fitting in with his new classmates

• change is mind about which name he prefers

• become comfortable with the routines of kindergarten

50 - The descriptions of Ms. Lapidus and Gogul in paragraph 3 create a contrast between a --

• professional adult and an ordinary child

• strict principal and a nervous kindergartener

• dependable adult and a playful boy

• busy administrator and a carefree student