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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What color is the narrator's vehicle mentioned at the start of the story?

2. How does Joseph react when Triton shortens the broom handle?

3. How far away is Sri Lanka from England?

4. How old is Lucy-amma?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the relationship between Triton and Joseph.

2. What are young Triton's main duties at Mr. Salgado's house?

3. When he is a boy, why does Triton regard Mr. Salgado's house as the "center of the universe"?

4. What happens in 1962, when Triton's narration begins?

5. The narrator speaks with a gas station cashier. How experienced is the cashier with his job?

6. Where does this story begin?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the relationship between Miss Nili and Triton. How does she try to help him? How does Triton respond? Does he have a secret crush on her? Why or why not? How do his thoughts about her evolve as he grows?

Essay Topic 2

Through several tense and trying episodes, Triton grows and gains new perspectives on life. Citing a specific example for each character listed, explaining how tense interactions with the following individuals help Triton to develop. What new perspectives does he gain through these difficult encounters?

1. Mr. Salgado.

2. Joseph.

Essay Topic 3

Describe in detail several of the images the author creates through his narrative to bring the tropical Sri Lankan setting to life for the reader.

(see the answer keys)

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