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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 technique is used when the narrator says that "Up in the atmosphere thunder roll with laughter"?

2. Why does Gallows go to the market one Saturday afternoon?

3. What word do the characters use that hints at the French colonial history of Trinidad?

4. What does Fitz claim he did when a former girlfriend suggested they get married?

5. What do Battersby and Harry go out to get when Battersby's friends gather at his apartment?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the narrator say to his audience about his decision not to offer more details about Poor's appearance and origins?

2. Describe Battersby's apartment.

3. What number does Bat imagine giving his apartment, and why is this important to him?

4. Describe the woman that Gallows depended on for food and a place to live when he first came to London.

5. Other than the money, what do the things that Battersby imagines the genie bringing him all have in common with one another, and what does this demonstrate about Battersby himself?

6. What is ironic about the difference between the food Battersby imagines on page 2 and the food he genuinely likes?

7. Why does the narrator say that weather forecasters should be "diplomats" (4)?

8. Which of Bat's friends takes photographs, and what is comical about how he does it?

9. What is ironic about the conversation that Alfy, Nobby, and Syl have about Harry's banjo, and what does this conversation reveal about the men?

10. When Jean and Harry go out into the hallway to fix the fuse, what do they discuss?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay that analyzes the layered meaning of the book's title. How does the title point toward the idea of a quixotic quest? How does it create expectations of humor? How does it exemplify the way that humor is used to deflect from pain throughout the novel? Why "lark" instead of "folly" or "plan" or "quest"? Support your ideas with evidence from the text, and cite all sources in MLA format.

Essay Topic 2

How is The Housing Lark itself potentially an example of using humor as a defense against pain? Consider how the characters use humor as a deflecting device and defense mechanism. Then, do some research into Sam Selvon's background and his other works. What evidence do you find that suggests whether or not Sam Selvon's writing of The Housing Lark as a comedy is similar to his characters' use of comedy? Support your ideas with evidence from the text, and cite all sources in MLA format.

Essay Topic 3

Do some research on portrayals of West Indians in the literature and culture of Britain prior to the 1970's. Write an essay that places The Housing Lark within this context, making and defending a claim about whether or not The Housing Lark functions as an act of opposition to the dominant culture in this time and place. Support your ideas with evidence from the text, and cite all sources in MLA format.

(see the answer keys)

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