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