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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 does Arthur McCash tell Nathaniel's mother he thinks is responsible for the children's attempted abduction?

2. Who is Nathaniel's sister?

3. What does The Darter tell Nathaniel he once did to ensure he did not lose a bet at the race track?

4. What does Nathaniel's sister do when they realize their mother has lied to them in the section titled "Hell-Fire"?

5. Why does Nathaniel really not want Agnes to meet his parents?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Nathaniel especially remember about his visit to his father's Unilever office?

2. What does Nathaniel's and Rachel's brief time alone with their mother just before she leaves for Singapore feel like for Nathaniel?

3. How does Olive tell Nathaniel she will stay in touch with he and Rachel after she leaves London, and does she make good on her word?

4. What does Arthur McCash tell Nathaniel that startles him when McCash surprises Nathaniel at Victoria Station?

5. Why does Nathaniel come to know Agnes as Agnes?

6. Why is Rachel so upset at the end of Part I of the book, as she and Nathaniel are whisked away from the Bark Theater?

7. How do Nathaniel and Rachel feel about becoming boarders at their new schools after their mother and father leave for Singapore in Chapter 1?

8. How does Nathaniel describe Olive Lawrence's personality?

9. How did The Moth react when The Darter and Olive Lawrence would fight?

10. What dramatic event occurs directly before Arthur McCash shows up in the section titled "The Mussel Boat"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay analyzing Nathaniel's relationship with The Darter. Why does he tell Agnes The Darter is his father, and what does this action say about how Nathaniel feels about The Darter?

Essay Topic 2

How does Nathaniel's conduct when he secures a job at Britain's classified archives relate to Rose's activities as a covert agent during and after WWII? Write an essay comparing and contrasting Nathaniel's and Rose's professional conduct and aims.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay exploring how Ondaatje uses Nathaniel's experiences at The Criterion and at the restaurant in World's End to help the reader understand his maturation as a young adult, and to offer glimpses into what kind of an adult he may become.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 813 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample