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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who is it suggested was behind the assault on Eric Lopley?
(a) His employers.
(b) The Rent Tribunal.
(c) His landlords.
(d) The police.

2. When Battersby is daydreaming in the novel's opening, what does he wish for, besides a woman?
(a) Fame, money, and respect.
(b) Money, food, and rum.
(c) Food, rum, and marijuana.
(d) Power, money, and fame.

3. Why does Battersby's sister warn Matilda about him?
(a) Battersby did not treat his last girlfriend well.
(b) Battersby is known to lie all the time.
(c) Battersby already has an illegitimate child.
(d) Battersby tries to sleep with all of her friends.

4. What reason does Nobby give for thinking that Harry will not be able to make a success of his singing career?
(a) He is Black.
(b) He is easy to manipulate.
(c) He sings the wrong kind of music.
(d) He is not talented.

5. What word does Poor use to refer to a marijuana cigarette?
(a) Bone.
(b) Charger
(c) Spliff.
(d) Bunt.

6. What does Battersby's sister do for a living?
(a) She begs for money in the park.
(b) She is a sex worker.
(c) She sings and plays music in the subway.
(d) She is a pickpocket.

7. Why is Battersby thinking about money while he makes his morning tea?
(a) His sister has asked him for a loan.
(b) He is almost out of tea and other basic supplies.
(c) He has just lost his job.
(d) He is behind on his rent payments.

8. In the page 1 sentence "Pound notes and fivers start to fall all about in the room, until is as if he is swimming in it, and the water-mark rising higher and higher," what technique is being used?
(a) Simile.
(b) Personification.
(c) Metaphor.
(d) Hyperbole.

9. What do Battersby and Harry go out to get when Battersby's friends gather at his apartment?
(a) Benne balls and sweet potato chips.
(b) A newspaper and a lottery ticket.
(c) Cigarettes and rum.
(d) Soda water and lime juice.

10. What does Harry plan to do to make "some big money" (15)?
(a) Write home to his parents.
(b) Rob a store.
(c) Sell tapes of his music.
(d) Get a construction job.

11. What objection does Battersby have to having Harry as a roommate?
(a) Harry plays the banjo.
(b) Harry is Jamaican.
(c) Harry has no steady income.
(d) Harry is interested in Battersby's sister.

12. What kind of appeal is the narrator making when he says "being as I want to tell the truth, I have to say that that is how it happen" (14)?
(a) Appeal to ethos.
(b) Appeal to authority.
(c) Appeal to logos.
(d) Appeal to pathos.

13. Who is the author of The Housing Lark?
(a) Lawrence Scott.
(b) Junot Diaz.
(c) Sam Selvon.
(d) Derek Walcott.

14. Why does Gallows say that he feels sorry for Harry?
(a) Because Harry is having trouble selling his music.
(b) Because Harry is in love with Jean.
(c) Because Harry is Jamaican.
(d) Because Bat takes advantage of Harry.

15. After Harry moves in, how does Bat's attitude about the apartment change?
(a) It starts to feel like a home where he could bring a wife.
(b) It seems even more run-down and embarrassing.
(c) It suddenly feels too small.
(d) It starts to seem like not such a bad place.

Short Answer Questions

1. What causes the fuse in Bat's apartment building to blow?

2. What does Battersby make himself for breakfast?

3. When Battersby is daydreaming in the novel's opening, what kind of woman does he wish for?

4. What can be inferred about Hampstead and Mayfair from Gallows's discussion with the estate agent?

5. What is the name of Battersby's sister?

(see the answer keys)

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