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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Petit Pierre bring to Brown early in the morning, the first day after he arrives home?
(a) A bottle of rum, as an apology.
(b) Brown's weekly supply of oranges.
(c) An order for an eviction of the premises.
(d) A newspaper with a gossip column that includes the Smiths.

2. When the countess rang the bell for Marcel to come to her room, what was he wearing?
(a) Black pants and shirt, in preparation for mourning.
(b) A shirt he had found in Brown's luggage.
(c) Only his underwear.
(d) Pajamas with both their initials monogrammed on the shirt.

3. Whom is Brown visiting the military base near Santo Domingo?
(a) Mr. Wilson.
(b) Mr. Peterson.
(c) Mr. Athencourt.
(d) Mr. Smith.

4. A Tonton Macoute strikes up a conversation with Brown. Who is this man?
(a) The leader of the Tontons Macoute.
(b) The one who smashed the windows of the hearse carrying Doctor Philipot's body.
(c) A new character in the book.
(d) The one responsible for putting Jones in jail.

5. At the police station, when Brown and Smith go to visit Jones, what does the Tonton Macoute guard do?
(a) He threatens to have them thrown out.
(b) He makes them wait four hours before going to Jones' cell.
(c) He stares at them through his dark sunglasses.
(d) He demands another $200.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Jones name the ambassador's new dog?

2. Before Brown and Smith leave the jail, what does Jones want them to do?

3. Who is Mr. Baxter?

4. When Brown unexpectedly sees Philipot and Joseph emerge from the woods, what physical state is Joseph in?

5. In a late-night conversation, Brown and Jones talk about their official jobs titles, which are vague. What does this tell the reader about their relationship?

Short Essay Questions

1. Brown spends approximately one day in the Dominican Republic as he tries to get money and an exit visa. How does this country differ from Haiti? What changes does Brown note in the people, attitudes, buildings, and scenery?

2. On the way to the hotel immediately after his arrival in Haiti, Brown and Martha are stopped at a roadblock and searched. What is the purpose of telling this scene?

3. At the end of the book, Jones is given a military funeral with the rest of the guerrilla fighters who were killed. Is this honorable or simply ironic? How does it fit Jones's life?

4. In his mother's desk, Brown finds a disk which Doctor Magiot recognizes as a medal of the resistance. What does this reveal about his mother?

5. With the thought that Doctor Philipot's spirit might be hovering around the body, hoping for an encouraging word of send-off, Brown purposely speaks trivial words about eating eggs in the morning. What does this tell the reader about his perception of death? How does it fit the tone of the book?

6. Martha and Brown rendezvous for the first time in her car by the Columbus statue. What is the nature of this meeting and how does it set the tone for their relationship?

7. When Brown and Mr. Smith visit the Secretary of State, hoping to free Jones, how is Brown successful? Why is Mr. Smith's bluntness ineffective?

8. What is the significance of Martha and Brown choosing to meet by the Columbus statue? Is there humor or irony in the choice?

9. Throughout Chapter 1 of Part 1, the captain advises people to stay in touch with their respective consulates. Why is this, and how does it set the tone of the book?

10. In Chapter 1 of Part 1, Brown and Jones meet as Jones is attempting to bribe the steward to switch their rooms. How is this first scene indicative of Jones's character?

(see the answer keys)

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