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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 old was Queenie when she left school?

2. In Chapter 24, what was the name of Queenie'e elocution teacher?

3. In Chapter 39 during a riot in Calcutta, how many were killed?

4. In Chapter 30, where is Gilbert supposed to make a delivery?

5. How many times did Michael Roberts knock on Queenie's door before he left in Chapter 29?

Short Essay Questions

1. What luck did Gilbert have finding a job, and where did he finally get a job?

2. In Chapter 41, who did Bernard speak to who escaped the basha, and what did the man tell him?

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

4. Why does renting a room from Queenie become burdensome?

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

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

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

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

9. Why did Queenie marry Bernard?

10. Why did Bernard volunteer for the military rather than be conscripted?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Gilbert grew up in a family of ten children. What does Gilbert remember about growing up in his family? What is revealed about family dynamics through his memories?

Essay Topic 2

Gilbert experiences racism in England. How and why do Gilbert and other Jamaicans experience racism in England?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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