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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. Who identifies the bones as Maali’s?

2. Why did Maali's Major terminate his contract?

3. Where does Maali say he will meet DD on the night of his death in Fifth Moon?

4. Who works for the Associated Press?

5. Why does Maali not want to go with Dr. Ranee in the Fifth Moon?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Maali spend the majority of his time focusing on Down There in the Fourth Moon?

2. How does Maali attempt to communicate to Jaki that the negatives are not important?

3. How does the author convey Maali's spiritual trascencedence?

4. What does Dr. Ranee teach Maali about good and evil?

5. Why is Maali desperate to control Down There?

6. Why is Maali upset when he witnesses the Minister burn the box?

7. What does Maali tell Dr. Ranee after emerging from the dreamscape?

8. Why do others in the Afterlife continue to discourage Maali's attachment to Down There?

9. How does Dr. Ranee help Maali?

10. What does Dr. Ranee inform Maali about in their first interaction?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Seven Moons has been described as a cross-genre novel, merging magical realism with a ghost story, a whodunnit, and a state-of-the-nation piece of work. Discuss how Shehan Karunatilaka has allowed these genres to intersect and whether you think it is successful.

Essay Topic 2

Seven Moons is laced with off-beat humor; the author adds levity to heavier moments. In an interview with The Booker Prize, he said, of Sri Lankans, "We specialize in gallows humor and make jokes in the face of our crises.’" Has the author succeeded in bringing the humor of his nation to life?

Essay Topic 3

Maali’s character is complex. At the beginning of the novel readers are told, "If you had a business card, this is what it would say: Maali Almeida. Photographer. Gambler. Slut." (1). Yet despite his flaws, the Booker judges described him as ‘wonderful company’ and ‘cheerfully unapologetic about what others might see as his failings’. What is it about Maali’s character that makes him so likable?

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