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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 type of snake was a problem at Rock Hill?

2. Near what continent is Ceylon located?

3. In a dream Michael had on page 27, what shape was his body?

4. How long was the train ride from Colombo to Jaffna?

5. During what months did Michael's grandparents move to Nuwara Eliya?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did Mervyn do instead of attending college in England?

2. Describe Michael's wildness at his farewell party.

3. What could Michael see and hear in his friend's house when he awoke from a dream?

4. Why was it difficult for Mervyn's father to argue with Mervyn?

5. What was the heat like in Colombo?

6. Describe the engagement ring that Mervyn bought for Doris and Gratiaen and how it was paid for.

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

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

9. What would people do after the races were over for the day?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Mervyn struggled with dipsomania. Discuss dipsomania and how it affected Mervyn and his family.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss how and why Michael decided to visit Ceylon.

Essay Topic 3

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

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 660 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample