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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. What time was dinner served at Bernard's mansion?

2. According to Mr. Thanoo, what metal was mined in Thailand and Malaysia?

3. What were the Thai children doing near the railroad tracks near Nong Khai Station?

4. What drug was the Burmese man using on the way to the viaduct?

5. What city did Mr. Pensacola say had boring nightclubs?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Theroux leave behind his passport and camera while trying to go to the Goktiek Viaduct?

2. Why were there no skiers on the mountain in Japan, despite the large amount of perfect snow?

3. Describe the Kali religious festival from Chapter 16.

4. What common prostitution story did Theroux hear numerous times during his travels and how did the story told in Laos differ?

5. Why did Theroux refer to Laos as "America's expensive practical joke"?

6. Describe the Japanese obsession with the high cost of living in Japan.

7. What are the differences between Japanese and American consumers?

8. Why did Mr. Lau dislike Kuala Lumpur?

9. Why did Theroux describe the Burmese government as a Buddhist bureaucracy?

10. What was Theroux's reaction to the sight of the Goktiek Viaduct?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the closing pages, Theroux reflected on how the book could have been different if he had written it as a novel instead of a travel piece. Did he focus too much on what his eyes saw or did he discuss what his imagination knew? Would the book have worked better as fiction? Would it have been necessary for Theroux to invent characters and situations in order to help the narrative flow? Did he make the right choice in writing a travelogue?

Essay Topic 2

While most of the trains boarded by Theroux were rather slow and, in many cases old, some of the trains he rode in Japan were extremely fast. As a result, he felt he did not have rich experiences. Did the speed of the trains interfere with his ability to have revealing conversations with others? Or was some of that due to the Japanese character? How would slower trains facilitate conversation?

Essay Topic 3

In his travels through India, Theroux seemed to be convinced India was doomed to failure in the long run unless the population was brought under control. He had also described in disbelieving terms the family planning officials who themselves had large families. Do you believe Theroux was accurate in his claims? How would reining in population figures help a nation develop economically? Is there a point at which nations cannot cope with a large population or can nations figure out a way to successfully spread wealth despite large numbers?

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