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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. 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.

2. After taking care of his car, what does the narrator do at the start of the story?
(a) Buys an ice cream cone.
(b) Drops his wallet.
(c) Records data in a logbook.
(d) Assists another driver.

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

4. When Mr. Salgado takes a weekend trip to his cousin's tea estate, who is left in charge of the household?
(a) Joseph.
(b) Lucy-amma.
(c) Triton.
(d) A neighbor.

5. How does Joseph feel and act towards Triton?
(a) He resents him.
(b) He largely ignores him.
(c) He takes him under his wing.
(d) He treats him kindly.

6. What do the police and neighbors discover at house number eight?
(a) A visiting classical singer is trying to stay there without being noticed by the neighbors.
(b) The wife rubs hot chillies all over her husband as punishment for his indiscretions.
(c) The husband is drunk and cranks up the volume of the radio and television.
(d) The wife steps on a cluster of poisonous scorpions.

7. How long has the narrator been out of Sri Lanka?
(a) Three years.
(b) Less than a month.
(c) More than twenty years.
(d) Twelve years.

8. One night, Triton dreams that there is a demon in the house, and in the morning he oversleeps. What does he tell Mr. Salgado that morning?
(a) Joseph steals Mr. Salgado's best wine the night before.
(b) The raging storm outside keeps Triton up all night.
(c) Triton fears the house may be haunted.
(d) Someone tries to break in, but Triton chases him away.

9. With Joseph gone, Triton goes from being houseboy to being ___.
(a) Butler.
(b) Errand boy.
(c) Housekeeper.
(d) Gardener.

10. Why is the cashier impressed with the narrator?
(a) He owns a restaurant.
(b) He is a vegetarian.
(c) He attends Oxford.
(d) He used to be a marine biologist.

11. 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.

12. The cashier tells the narrator that he, too, has a:
(a) Child.
(b) House.
(c) Dream.
(d) College education.

13. When the cashier experiences technical difficulties, what does he consider doing?
(a) Rummaging through the shed.
(b) Quitting his job.
(c) Calling for help.
(d) Throwing the unit away.

14. How old is Lucy-amma?
(a) More than seventy years old.
(b) Twelve years old.
(c) At least a hundred years old.
(d) Twenty-eight years old.

15. When the narrator and the cashier strike up a conversation, what does the narrator want to know?
(a) If the cashier knows what language is spoken in Sri Lanka.
(b) If there's a good Sri Lankan restaurant nearby.
(c) If there are many Sri Lankans living in London.
(d) If the cashier is from Sri Lanka.

Short Answer Questions

1. How is Mr. Salgado associated with the narrator?

2. What is Triton worried about, regarding being under Joseph's rule?

3. Why does Triton run away from home?

4. The haberdasher who stops by Mr. Salgado's house on Thursdays is one of the what who stops by regularly?

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

(see the answer keys)

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