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"Nectar in a Sieve" by Kamala Markandaya Quiz

Since I noticed that no one had a quiz on this book, I decided to make one. Includes character analysis, setting, and events that took place.

A multiple-choice quiz by nancy_90. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
nancy_90

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
201,783

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
257

Last 3 plays: Guest 49 (9/10), Guest 106 (4/10), Guest 119 (3/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Where does "Nectar in a Sieve" take place? Hint

in Mexico, during the Mexican Revolution

in England, late 1920s

in India, early 1950s

in China, early 1940s

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Question 2 of 10

2. What was the name of Rukmani's first-born child? Hint

Puli

Kenny

Kuti

Irawaddy

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Question 3 of 10

3. To whom did Rukmani FIRST sell her vegetables and fruit? Hint

Biswas

Old Nathan

Old Granny

Setram

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Question 4 of 10

4. Let's talk about Rukmani. What was she like? Hint

She was a literate wife of Nathan, who never lost faith in life.

She was a doctor's wife who helped all the people around her.

She was a beautiful lady who was very vain about her looks.

She was an old lady who arranged marriages for girls in India.

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Question 5 of 10

5. What did Rukmani think about the tannery that was constructed in the village? Hint

She was glad because it would mean more money for her family.

She was scared of it because she had heard about the dangers about working in the tannery - there were many deaths.

She was sad because Irawaddy couldn't work there and earn money for the family.

She disliked it because she felt it was taking away the way of life the villagers had.

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Question 6 of 10

6. Who is Puli? Hint

He is the handicapped boy Rukmani brought back from the city.

He is one of Rukmani's sons who died from starvation due to the drought.

He is the youngest of Rukmani's many sons.

He is the child of Irawaddy, the grandson of Rukmani.

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Question 7 of 10

7. Describe Nathan. What is he like? Hint

He is a selfless doctor who works hard to keep the villagers healthy.

He is the oldest of Rukmani's sons, he works hard in the fields to provide for the family.

He is an old man that Rukmani goes to see everyday to sell her vegetables to.

He is a simple farmer who loves and cares for his family in the best way he can.

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Question 8 of 10

8. What did Irawaddy do in order to keep the family from starving during the time of drought and famine? Hint

She killed herself in order to not burden her family any longer.

She went to the city to look for a job, then she sent the money back home to her parents and brothers.

She became a prostitute and earned money that way.

She worked in the fields with her father, and through her determination, the rice crops lived.

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Question 9 of 10

9. What were Rukmani and Nathan doing in the city? Hint

They were looking for their son Murugan.

They wanted to escape the poverty in the village so they moved to the city.

They were looking for work to provide for their family back home.

They had business with the lawyer in the city.

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Question 10 of 10

10. Who narrates the story? Hint

It was told by Irawaddy, who tells us the story of how she grew up.

It was told by someone outside of the story.

It was told by Rukmani, who shares with us her memories.

It was told by Nathan, who reflects on his life.

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Most Recent Scores

Apr 24 2024 : Guest 49: 9/10
Apr 24 2024 : Guest 106: 4/10
Apr 24 2024 : Guest 119: 3/10
Apr 22 2024 : Guest 223: 8/10
Apr 15 2024 : Guest 110: 2/10
Apr 14 2024 : Guest 152: 8/10
Apr 04 2024 : Guest 117: 8/10
Mar 30 2024 : Guest 47: 3/10
Mar 30 2024 : Guest 47: 3/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Where does "Nectar in a Sieve" take place?

Answer: in India, early 1950s

This book took place in India, early 1950s, when the people of India were going through many changes due to British occupation. As we see later in the book, Rukmani has conflicting feelings of having her sons go work at the tannery, instead of working in the fields with her husband, Nathan.

2. What was the name of Rukmani's first-born child?

Answer: Irawaddy

Irawaddy was Rukmani's first child. She was a girl and at first, her parents were disappointed that she was a girl, instead of a boy. Irawaddy was named after one of the greatest rivers of Asia, she was given this name to show how precious water was to the family.

3. To whom did Rukmani FIRST sell her vegetables and fruit?

Answer: Old Granny

Old Granny was Rukmani's friend and also the person Rukmani sold her produce to- until she was offered a higher price by Biswas, an oily and sly individual that Rukmani disliked. However, Rukmani made the decision of selling her produce to Biswas because she had a family to feed.

4. Let's talk about Rukmani. What was she like?

Answer: She was a literate wife of Nathan, who never lost faith in life.

One of the themes in this book is the faith Rukmani has in life and the love she also has for her family. In the beginning of the book, "Nectar in a Sieve" by Kamala Markandaya, she tells us that she knew how to read and write.

5. What did Rukmani think about the tannery that was constructed in the village?

Answer: She disliked it because she felt it was taking away the way of life the villagers had.

Rukmani felt that building the tannery was wrong - in one scene we see Rukmani disagreeing with one of her neighbors, Kunthi, because Kunthi was glad that the tannery was built. Rukmani felt that by building the tannery, the villager's way of life was diminishing and it would also draw her sons away from working in the fields, where her husband, Nathan, worked.

6. Who is Puli?

Answer: He is the handicapped boy Rukmani brought back from the city.

Puli is the young boy Rukmani had brought back from the city - she had gone there in the first place to find and live with one of her sons, Murugan. While in the city, her husband, Nathan, died, and because she didn't want to be alone, Rukmani took Puli back with her to her village.

7. Describe Nathan. What is he like?

Answer: He is a simple farmer who loves and cares for his family in the best way he can.

Nathan is the husband of Rukmani - he is a very gentle and loving man towards Rukmani and also his children. While in the city with Rukmani, he passes away.

8. What did Irawaddy do in order to keep the family from starving during the time of drought and famine?

Answer: She became a prostitute and earned money that way.

To her parents' dismay, Irawaddy became a prostitute and as a result of that, she gave birth to an albino little boy whose father was unknown.

9. What were Rukmani and Nathan doing in the city?

Answer: They were looking for their son Murugan.

Rukmani and Nathan went to the city in the hopes of finding their son, Murugan, so that they could live with him and his family. However, all they found was his wife and her own children who told them that Murugan had run away.

10. Who narrates the story?

Answer: It was told by Rukmani, who shares with us her memories.

This story was told by Rukmani. She shares with us her hope, her faith, and her strength all throughout the book. I hope you liked this quiz and learned from it!

Source: Author nancy_90

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor MotherGoose before going online.
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