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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. In Chapter 13, where was the unpleasant American monk originally from?

2. Why was the Canadian couple going to Australia?

3. What religion was the ship's second mate who disliked Indians and Ceylonese?

4. Why did the Ceylonese dynamite the coral reefs.

5. Where did Sadiq go to enjoy himself when not taking pilgrims to Mecca?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why was Mr. Radia, with whom Theroux spoke in Chapter 10, so cynical about the English?

2. What were Theroux's impressions of the alleged tombs of Cain and Abel?

3. Why did Duffill appear to be so mysterious to Theroux?

4. Why did Theroux find it insane that people were attending an American literature conference in Ceylon?

5. Why did Paramahansa Yogananda, the guru followed by Mr. Gupta in Chapter 9, go to America?

6. Describe the city of Teheran as encountered by Theroux in Chapter 4.

7. What was Molesworth's attitude toward tourism?

8. Describe the special requirements and characteristics of the Sikh religion outlined by Theroux in Chapter 8.

9. What was the Indian professor's view of Mr. Gopal's ignorance?

10. How did Theroux describe the Australians he encountered on the trains?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In contrast to his discussions with the Bangladeshi family planning experts, Theroux discovered that in the Soviet Union, efforts were underway to increase the population due to a declining birth rate. Many European nations today are experiencing declining birth rates, while poorer countries in Asia and Africa are expanding rapidly. How do nations determine what is an appropriate or manageable population? Is it possible to control how individuals plan their families? Why do poor nations have such high birth rates while nations that can better afford to feed and house their populations have low birth rates? Which comes first--poverty or high birth rates?

Essay Topic 2

In his descriptions of some of the railway stations through which he traveled, Theroux made it clear that many of the stations were ornate and reflected either the culture of the nation or the culture of the former colonial authority. Write an essay outlining how countries use railway station architecture to highlight their unique cultures. Does the effort to incorporate local styles help provide visitors with a better sense and appreciation of the country? What do you think Theroux could have learned from stations without any unique cultural aspects? What impact would homogenization have? Would it make all cultures seem similar?

Essay Topic 3

Describe how Theroux felt when arriving home after four months of travel. What did he mean by "being flayed" by the lengthy trip? Do you think it is possible to become sick and tired of an activity you usually treasure? Do you think someone can regain that love by avoiding the activity for awhile or are some desires simply ingrained in people (and will Theroux be struck by wanderlust yet again)?

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