Chapter 8 “Mijbil the Otter” and the poem “Fog”.
Part I: Mijbil the Otter
1. Why did Gavin Maxwell decide to keep an otter instead of a dog?
A) His dog Jonnie had died and he was too sad to own another dog.
B) He wanted to start a zoo in Scotland.
C) Otters were easier to train than dogs.
D) He found the otter abandoned in Scotland.
2. Where does the author live, which he thought would be suitable for an otter?
A) Camusfearna
B) Basra
C) London
D) Paris
3. What reason did the friend give for suggesting the Tigris marshes as a place to get an otter?
A) They were as common as mosquitoes there.
B) They were sold in pet shops there.
C) It was the only place otters lived.
D) They were cheaper there.
4. Why was the author delayed in Basra for several days?
A) His mail had not arrived.
B) The airport was closed.
C) He was waiting for the otter to be caught.
D) He fell ill.
5. Who delivered the otter to Maxwell?
A) Two Arabs
B) His friend
C) The Consulate General
D) A shopkeeper
6. What did the otter resemble when it first emerged from the sack?
A) A very small, medievally-conceived dragon
B) A chocolate-brown mole
C) A baby seal
D) A squirrel
7. What scientific name was given to Mijbil’s race of otter?
A) Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli
B) Lutrogale perspicillata
C) Mustellines maxwelli
D) Otter maxwelli
8. How did Mijbil behave during the first twenty-four hours?
A) He was aloof and indifferent.
B) He was hostile and aggressive.
C) He was friendly and playful.
D) He was sick and lethargic.
9. What characteristic of otters did Maxwell learn in the bathroom?
A) They believe water must be kept on the move.
B) They are afraid of water.
C) They only like cold water.
D) They cannot swim underwater.
10. What amazing feat did Mijbil perform with the bathroom taps?
A) He turned the tap to produce a full flow of water.
B) He broke the tap off.
C) He drank directly from the tap.
D) He used a tool to open it.
11. Why was the author compelled to fly to Paris instead of flying directly to London?
A) The British airline would not fly animals.
B) The Paris flight was cheaper.
C) He wanted to visit Paris.
D) Direct flights were fully booked.
12. What happened when Maxwell put Mij into the box an hour before the flight?
A) Mij tore the lining and injured himself.
B) Mij fell asleep immediately.
C) Mij escaped the box immediately.
D) Mij ate all the fish.
13. How did the air hostess react when Maxwell explained the situation?
A) She was very cooperative and suggested he keep the pet on his knee.
B) She refused to allow the otter on the plane.
C) She screamed and ran away.
D) She insisted the box be locked in the luggage compartment.
14. What did the woman on the plane scream when she saw Mij?
A) “A rat! A rat!”
B) “A snake! A snake!”
C) “A monster!”
D) “Get it away!”
15. What was Mij’s favorite pastime with marbles?
A) Lying on his back and rolling them on his belly.
B) Throwing them at Maxwell.
C) Hiding them under the rug.
D) Dropping them in water.
16. In London, what compulsive habit did Mij develop near the primary school?
A) Galloping the full length of the low wall.
B) Barking at the students.
C) Chasing the school children.
D) Hiding behind the lamp posts.
17. Which of the following was NOT a guess made by Londoners about what animal Mij was?
A) A wolf
B) A baby seal
C) A hippo
D) A leopard
18. What question did the labourer ask Maxwell that got the ‘highest score’?
A) “Here, Mister — what is that supposed to be?”
B) “Is that a dog or a cat?”
C) “Does it bite?”
D) “Where did you find that thing?”
Part II: Fog (Poem)
19. In the poem ‘Fog’, how does the fog arrive?
A) On little cat feet
B) Like a roaring lion
C) With a loud storm
D) Like a heavy blanket
20. What does the fog do after looking over the harbor and city?
A) It moves on.
B) It turns into rain.
C) It stays forever.
D) It howls loudly.