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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 is there a riot in Chapter 18?

2. What type of soup is served at the Burnham dinner in Chapter 11?

3. What name does Doughty give Kalua in Chapter 12?

4. How long is Neel sentenced to the penal settlement on Mauritius Islands?

5. In what languages can Neel read and write?

Short Essay Questions

1. What thoughts does Deeti have of Kabutri in Chapter 18?

2. What clothing does Neel request for his first appearance in court, and what does he decide to wear?

3. What chores are the female migrants given?

4. What does Neel's cellmate look like when Neel meets him in Chapter 14?

5. At the end of Chapter 12, what does Neel see when he looks in the mirror?

6. Where will Malati and Raj go after Neel's properties are sold?

7. What are bores?

8. In Chapter 14, why does Crowle dislike Zachary?

9. In Chapter 11, what does Deeti find when she goes into the hold?

10. How do the migrants react when they get to the Black Water?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The cat jumps ship. Why are the lascars uneasy when the cat jumps ship? How do they feel about women being on board and why? Why are they slow to get the ship moving after men falls overboard and die? In what ways are the lascars superstitious and how does being superstitious affect their view of life?

Essay Topic 2

Paulette persuades Nob Kissin to get her on board the Ibis. What does Paulette discover that makes her want to leave Bethel? How does her desperation affect the choices that she makes?

Essay Topic 3

Point of view determines how readers view the story and characters in a story. What is the point of view in the novel? How does the point of view affect what readers know about the story and characters?

(see the answer keys)

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