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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 was the only thing Mervyn had to offer his parents and sister when they arrived in England?

2. When was Reverend Jurgen Ondaatje the translator and chaplain in Colombo?

3. As he awaited his approaching marriage, how long after Mervyn had returned to Ceylon did he announce another engagement?

4. On their way to the December races, where would the Gasanawa group go swimming?

5. When did Michael's ancestor first arrive in Ceylon?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was Mervyn like when his dipsomania would recur?

2. Why did a Dutch governor's daughter appear as a ghost?

3. When did Michael's parents' generation grow up?

4. What happened at Philip Ondaatje's funeral?

5. Describe the thalagoya.

6. Describe how a visitor would approach the old governor's house.

7. What did Mervyn use at Rock Hill to deter the snakes?

8. What did Lalla look like when she was at the racetrack?

9. What was the heat like in Colombo?

10. Describe the kabaragoya Michael and the children found dead on the beach.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Michael's purpose for writing "Running in the Family" and whether he achieved his purpose.

Essay Topic 2

Michael said that in Ceylon all classes of people gambled. Discuss the role of gambling in Ceylon.

Essay Topic 3

Michael and the children came upon a dead kabaragoya on the beach. Compare the kabaragoya and the thalagoya.

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This section contains 736 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample