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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. How much does Queenie charge for her rooms each week?

2. In Chapter 22, what color is the blanket that Hortense takes out of her trunk?

3. What do some ruffians throw at Hortense and Queenie in Chapter 33?

4. What mortal wound was on a body that Maxi and Bernard were supposed to move in Chapter 38?

5. What was the wing span of a Wellington bomber?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where did Queenie start working and what was her job like?

2. Why is Hortense reluctant to buy a loaf of bread?

3. What does Gilbert ask Hortense to do before he gets home?

4. In Chapter 29, when did Arthur speak and what did he say?

5. What was the house like that Queenie moved into when she married Bernard?

6. What examples does Gilbert remember of friends who were victims of discrimination in Chapter 32?

7. What was Queenie's life like until her Aunt Dorothy rescued her?

8. What did Bernard think about his future as he sailed home?

9. How did Queenie describe a family that lost their home in the bombings and were sent to live in her neighbor's house?

10. What supplies finally arrived after the war was over in Chapter 40?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Small Island, some characters are more thoroughly described than others. Who are some characters that are merely named in passing or have a minor role in the novel? What is the importance of these flat characters to the storyline? In what way do these characters make the main characters more colorful or interesting? When there is conflict, what type of role do these flat characters play?

Essay Topic 2

Queenie and Hortense misunderstand one another during their first conversation. How do Queenie and Hortense misunderstand one another during their first conversation? Why do they struggle to communicate with one another?

Essay Topic 3

Queenie decides to give up her baby. Why does Queenie decide to give up her baby? What does the decision reveal about her character and English society?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 798 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample