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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. What do the settlers put on the McIvors' fence?

2. What sort of impact did Gemmy have on both Janet's and Lachlan's earlier lives?

3. What does Gemmy do with the hunting ferrets one night when Willett passes out drunk?

4. How long did Gemmy remain at sea?

5. What strikes Janet most about Mrs. Hutchence's demeanor when working with the bees?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Lachlan's relationships with the other settler children change over time? What causes this change?

2. Describe the event that caused Willett's death.

3. Describe what happens to Janet in this chapter when she removes her bonnet and veil while beekeeping.

4. How have Mr. Frazer's views on botany changed since Gemmy has come to the settlement?

5. Why does Sir George invite Mr. Frazer to speak with him? How does he react to Frazer's proposal?

6. Why doesn't Jock ask Gemmy to leave the farm after the two incidents in this chapter?

7. How does George Abbot trick Gemmy in this chapter? Why does he do this?

8. How does Mr. Frazer react when Jim Sweetman refuses the native fruit? How does this contrast with his views on native plants at the end of the chapter?

9. How does Lachlan's relationship with Gemmy change over time?

10. How does Gemmy come to be on the island of Queensland?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Remembering Babylon, a few minor characters have a major impact on the story line. Select two of the following minor characters to analyze: Ned Corcoran, Mrs. Hutchence, George Abbot, Janet McIvor.

Discuss:

1) The personality (character traits) of this character

2) The relationship between this minor character and the major characters in the story

3) The impact of this character on the story line--How does s/he influence the overall story line? How would the story be different if this character was removed?

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 past (i.e., time before he is discovered by Lachlan and Janet) is essential to Gemmy's development as a character. Discuss at least three events/people from the past that influenced Gemmy's character. Focus on describing the event as well as discussing how the event determined the person Gemmy becomes. Be sure to cite specific details from the novel to support your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

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