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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. Where did Bernard tell Theroux he was born?

2. What happened to the French-built Trans-Vietnam Railway six years after it was completed in the 1930s?

3. What did every train include in the Goktiek area?

4. What was the topic of the conference Ghosh and Rahman attended in Singapore?

5. What did Theroux write was a common form of Japanese courtesy among parents?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are the differences between Japanese and American consumers?

2. Why were there no skiers on the mountain in Japan, despite the large amount of perfect snow?

3. How was Theroux treated at the hotel in Mandalay?

4. What image was brought to mind by the sight of the Japanese workers doing mass calisthenics?

5. What were Theroux's main impressions of Singapore?

6. Why was the man on the train to Calcutta running away from his girlfriend?

7. What common prostitution story did Theroux hear numerous times during his travels and how did the story told in Laos differ?

8. How did the family planning experts react to Theroux's questioning about the sizes of their own families?

9. Why were the Vietnamese focused on providing foreign visitors with privileges?

10. Describe the Japanese obsession with the high cost of living in Japan.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

While in India, Theroux noticed the strict seating divisions on board the trains reflected the stringent caste divisions in Indian society. Research the caste system and write an essay outlining the different divisions and the rights, perks, and job opportunities provided by each. In addition, discuss how the caste system affected Theroux's experience of Indian railway travel. Would it have been different if the caste system had not existed?

Essay Topic 2

Throughout many of the countries Theroux visited for the book, there were many brothels and prostitutes available. Was this a unique phenomenon of Asian societies or was the prostitution simply more out in the open than in Western societies? Did prostitution seem more acceptable in the countries visited by Theroux? Did the greater availability to brothels suggest different cultural attitudes toward the world's oldest profession?

Essay Topic 3

In his travels through India, Theroux seemed to be convinced India was doomed to failure in the long run unless the population was brought under control. He had also described in disbelieving terms the family planning officials who themselves had large families. Do you believe Theroux was accurate in his claims? How would reining in population figures help a nation develop economically? Is there a point at which nations cannot cope with a large population or can nations figure out a way to successfully spread wealth despite large numbers?

(see the answer keys)

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