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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. Why does Gemmy chose to ignore Andy when he approaches him?

2. What do the children think the figure is when they first see it?

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

4. What English word does Gemmy remember that causes him to have nightmares?

5. What was Brisbane like when the McIvors first arrived there?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Lachlan boast so often? Why does this bother Janet?

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

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

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

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

6. How does Gemmy's arrival disrupt Jock's lifestyle?

7. How does Andy come to discover Gemmy visits with the natives? How does he react?

8. How does Janet initially interact with Gemmy once he is living with the McIvors?

9. How do Gemmy's language skills change as he begins observing the white settlers?

10. What is Gemmy reminded of when he sees fire? How does this make him feel?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast the settlers in this novel. How are each of the settlers similar/different? Then discuss why you think the author presents this variety of characters in the novel. Be sure to cite specific evidence from the novel to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Race plays an important role in this novel. Discuss several situations where the body is central to the plot of the story. Focus on what the human body is serving as a symbol of at that point in the novel. Be sure to cite specific details from the novel to support your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

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