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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. Who does Gemmy believe has the power in the McIvor family?

2. Why does George Abbot ignore Lachlan in class?

3. What does Janet notice one day that seems to open up the world to her?

4. Where are the deceased McIvor children buried?

5. How does Gemmy react when he speaks to the children?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Ellen recount for the children when she finds out that Lachlan will be coming to live with the McIvors?

2. Why do the settlers come to visit Mrs. Hutchence's house?

3. What does Gemmy do to help the villagers understand him? Why does he need to do this?

4. Describe Gemmy's relationship with Mr. Frazer in this chapter.

5. What is the impact of Andy's story to the settlers about Gemmy's "visit"?

6. How does Jock's opinion of his wife change in this chapter?

7. How does Gemmy attempt to maintain his ties to the aborigines in this chapter?

8. How does Lachlan act towards Gemmy while walking him back to the development? What does Lachlan pretend Gemmy is?

9. Describe what Janet sees that makes her think of the word "glory".

10. What does Comet River represent for the white settlers?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are several turning points in the plot of this novel. Select two major turning points in the plot and discuss:

1) how the event is a turning point; and,

2) how the story would be different if the event had gone in a different direction.

Cite several specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

Flashbacks play an important role Remembering Babylon. Select two flashback scenes in the novel and:

1) describe what happens in the scene

2) discuss how this flashback fits into the main plot of the story

3) analyze the importance of including this particular flashback at this point in the story. What impact does the flashback have on the story? How would it be different if it was not there?

Cite several specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

The inscription of Remembering Babylon includes a poem by John Clare. Re-read this poem and discuss the meaning of it in reference to the novel as a whole (What does it mean to you now that you have read the entire novel? Why?) and discuss the author's choice of this inscription (Why do you think he chose this poem?)

Cite several specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

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