1 Why does Triton reach out to the gas station cashier? He recognizes the cashier as a former servant of Mister Salgado's The cashier is a customer at Triton's restaurant He recognizes that the cashier is Sri Lankan The cashier is Mister Salgado's son 2 What unusual habit does Triton demonstrate while refueling his car? He spills a few drops of gasoline on the asphalt He carefully documents the car's mileage He takes a photo of the car He leaves a handful of spare change on the counter 3 What privilege marks Triton as different from the cashier? Triton speaks both Tamil and Sinhala, while the cashier only speaks English Triton has lived in London for nearly twenty years, whereas the cashier is a recent immigrant Triton has his own car, while the cashier doesn't know how to drive Triton is an atheist, while the cashier is a devout Christian 4 Why does the cashier ask Triton to make a phone call? Triton knows the number for a taxi service to take the cashier to the airport Triton speaks better English and can explain an issue to the cashier's employer The cashier wants to call home for news about the war but cannot understand the operator's accent The cashier wants to distract Triton, who received incorrect change 5 How does Triton react to the drunk man tapping on the window? He feels immediate panic He is embarrassed that he knows the drunk man He is disgusted by the man's physical appearance He feels compelled to protect the cashier 6 Who is the only character named in "The Breach"? Mohan Triton Nili Mister Salgado 7 Why is the opening chapter entitled "The Breach"? The cashier's request is a breach of etiquette Triton's interaction with the cashier prompts him to remember his past Speaking Sinhala is a breach of Triton's contract Triton is "into the breach" by helping the cashier 8 What double meaning does the title "Kolla" carry? "Kolla" is Triton's nickname for Mister Salgado; the chapter outlines Triton's growing affection for Mister Salgado "Kolla" means "boy," which is what the adults in Triton's life call him; the chapter also recounts Triton's boyhood "Kolla" means "onion," which is the first thing Triton learns to cook; the chapter explores the layers of Triton's personality, like an onion "Kolla" is a pejorative for Tamil-speaking Sri Lankans; the chapter explains Triton's prejudices against Joseph's culture 9 Why does Mister Salgado hire Triton? He feels sympathy for Triton's situation He needs Triton's culinary expertise He wants Triton to work as a pearl diver He wants to prove he isn't prejudiced against Tamils 10 What experience sparks Triton's love for cooking? Cutting onions with Lucy-amma Watching his mother grill rainbow trout Eating Mister Salgado's leftovers Planning a Christmas dinner after Joseph is fired 11 Why doesn't Triton receive a formal education? His parents cannot afford private school He cannot speak Sinhala, the official language of education He accidentally burned down the schoolhouse He does not enjoy school 12 Initially, why does Triton hate Joseph? Joseph assaults Triton Joseph is a Christian Joseph receives all Mister Salgado's attention Joseph is cruel and rude to Triton 13 How does Triton protect himself against Joseph? He carries raw onions, knowing they make Joseph tear up He carries garlic, mistakenly believing Joseph is a vampire He carries a crucifix, knowing Joseph is a Christian He carries a knife, thinking he will be able to stab Joseph 14 How does Triton feel when left alone in Mister Salgado's house? He misses Mister Salgado and longs to join him He resents Joseph for leaving him alone to do all the housework He is afraid of the dark, but relaxed knowing he is fully alone He is excited to try on Mister Salgado's clothes and eat sweets 15 What remains constant in Lucy-amma's life? The politics in her hometown Her resentment over her low caste Her work as a cook for the Salgado family Her love for her children 16 How does Triton try to get Mister Salgado's attention? He claims he chased off a band of thieves He spreads rumors that Joseph is an alcoholic He prepares an elaborate meal to impress Mister Salgado's friends He destroys some of Mister Salgado's books 17 How does Triton deal with his fear of Joseph? He plays harmless pranks on Joseph He imagines Jospeh's misfortune and death He spreads rumors about Joseph to Mister Salgado and Lucy-amma He stands up for himself when Joseph criticizes him 18 Why did Pando-nona rub hot chilies on her husband's skin? She read in a British magazine it could cure his arthritis She wanted to punish him for his infidelity She suspected he was in collaboration with the The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam She wanted to "spice up" their love life 19 How does Triton attempt to "better himself" while working for Mister Salgado? He writes his own cookbook He copies Mister Salgado's habits, like making lists He prays for Joseph He begins meditating and exercising 20 Why doesn't Triton tell Mister Salgado that Joseph assaulted him? He fears Mister Salgado will fire him He doesn't want to tarnish Joseph's reputation He doesn't want the event to change his relationship with Mister Salgado He is disgusted by the memory and cannot voice it 21 How does Triton feel about Mister Salgado? He develops romantic feelings for Mister Salgado and imagines their marriage He admires Mister Salgado almost to the point of obsession He thinks of Mister Salgado as an older brother and tries to play with him He grudgingly respects Mister Salgado, though he resents his lost education 22 What is Mister Salgado's relationship to education? He insists Triton attend school, believing all children should receive an education He was educated at Colombo's "best schools" and constantly studies He is only "self-educated," having been denied a formal education He discounts education as a tool of oppression 23 What force does Mister Salgado blame for the political unrest in Sri Lanka? The "scourge of supersition" The "rising sea levels" The "scars of colonialism" The "politics of envy" 24 Why does Triton want to replace Joseph? He wants to save enough money to attend college He thinks Joseph doesn't deserve a high position because of his cultural background He believes that working for Mister Salgado will help him "really change the world" He wants to get close to Mister Salgado to sell his secrets to The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam 25 Why does Triton eventually feel sympathy for Joseph? He realizes Joseph was corrupted by resentment toward his circumstances He witnesses Mister Salgado beating Joseph He sees Joseph cry over his wife's grave Lucy-amma tells Triton that Joseph only started drinking after suffering a workplace injury
