View a FREE sample

This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. As the narrator begins to speak about his former life in Sri Lanka, he talks about a ______.
(a) Flower-adorned shrine.
(b) Bay-fronted house.
(c) Dome-shaped temple.
(d) Glass-bottom boat.

2. When the cashier mentions the part of Sri Lanka that he's from, what does the narrator think of?
(a) Gold coins.
(b) Oysters.
(c) Jasmine flowers.
(d) Pearls.

3. The cashier experiences technical difficulties with what?
(a) Paint drying unit.
(b) Jumper cables.
(c) Pressurized hose.
(d) Electronic till.

4. As a young servant for Mr. Salgado, Triton's regular duties include what?
(a) Watering plants and taking food to the poor.
(b) Serving tea and sweeping floors.
(c) Organizing books and catching fish.
(d) Milking cows and gathering eggs.

5. How old is Triton when he goes to work for Mr. Salgado?
(a) Sixteen.
(b) Twenty.
(c) Eleven.
(d) Seven.

6. In the story, who is Joseph?
(a) Merchant.
(b) Singer.
(c) Servant.
(d) Chauffeur.

7. How does Triton try to protect himself from Joseph when he's left alone with him in the house?
(a) He hides a big stick under his bed.
(b) He wears a necklace made of chili peppers.
(c) He rubs a raw onion all over his hands.
(d) He carries a small pocketknife everywhere he goes.

8. At night, what does young Triton dream of?
(a) Revenge against Mr. Salgado.
(b) Revenge against Joseph.
(c) Going to the beach with the neighbor girl.
(d) Going back to his family.

9. Why does the cashier want the narrator to use his phone?
(a) To show him how to use the phone.
(b) To call the police.
(c) To speak with his boss.
(d) To call his landlady.

10. Once inside the office, what does the narrator ask the cashier?
(a) Why he leaves his wife behind.
(b) Where he lives.
(c) How long he's been in England.
(d) Who helps him escape from Sri Lanka.

11. Why are Triton and Joseph left alone at Mr. Salgado's house?
(a) Mr. Salgado takes Lucy-amma out for her birthday.
(b) Mr. Salgado is on a business trip and Lucy-amma is taking care of a dying relative.
(c) Mr. Salgado is on vacation and Lucy-amma is in the hospital.
(d) Mr. Salgado and Lucy-amma take separate trips at the same time.

12. How does Joseph react when Triton shortens the broom handle?
(a) Buys a new broom.
(b) Locks him in the basement.
(c) Complains bitterly.
(d) Laughs good-naturedly.

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

14. When the narrator and cashier meet, what is happening in Sri Lanka?
(a) Reconciliation.
(b) Floods.
(c) Invasion.
(d) War.

15. What does the word "kolla" mean in Sinhala?
(a) Boy.
(b) Reef.
(c) Soda.
(d) Beginnings.

Short Answer Questions

1. After recording information about his car, what does the narrator do?

2. After the cashier shares information about himself with the narrator, what does he ask?

3. The cashier tells the narrator that he, too, has a:

4. Meticulous when it comes to creating lists, what does the narrator log after servicing his car?

5. The region of Sri Lanka that the cashier comes from is once what?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 553 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample