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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is Triton worried about, regarding being under Joseph's rule?
(a) That Joseph slits his throat.
(b) That he attacks the man to protect himself.
(c) That Joseph sells him to a passing tourist.
(d) That he, too, becomes mean and corrupt.

2. Does the cashier understand the suggestions the narrator gives him in a Sri Lankan language?
(a) No, he doesn't.
(b) He understands some.
(c) He pretends he does not understand.
(d) No, but he pretends he understands.

3. What do Triton, Mr. Salgado, and others in the neighborhood hear coming from house number eight?
(a) Piercing screams.
(b) Terrible howl.
(c) Beautiful singing.
(d) Loud music.

4. Alone in the house, Triton falls asleep. When he is awakened by a sound, what does he think it is?
(a) Stray cat.
(b) Wind knocking a window open.
(c) A robber.
(d) Mr. Salgado returning.

5. When Joseph leaves and Triton is left alone in the house, how does the boy feel?
(a) Terribly frightened.
(b) At peace.
(c) Trapped.
(d) Angry.

Short Answer Questions

1. How old is Lucy-amma?

2. Although Mr. Salgado goes to the best schools in Colombo, he considers himself what?

3. What vehicle does the narrator own when the story opens?

4. When Triton gets up to investigate the source of the sound in the house, he finds Joseph in Mr. Salgado's room. What is the man doing there?

5. How does Triton try to protect himself from Joseph when he's left alone with him in the house?

Short Essay Questions

1. When the cashier asks the narrator if he lives close by, what does the man reply?

2. What happens when Mr. Salgado returns home from his trip to the tea estate?

3. Why does Triton often seek refuge in Lucy-amma's kitchen?

4. Where does this story begin?

5. Through which character does the author choose to reveal the changing sociopolitical landscape of Sri Lanka across many decades?

6. Why does the gas station cashier want the narrator to speak with his boss?

7. What does Triton do right after he fills up the tank of his old Volkswagen?

8. Describe the relationship between Triton and Joseph.

9. At the start of the story, how does the narrator try to help the cashier?

10. Describe the Volkswagen introduced in the first part of the book.

(see the answer keys)

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