How Many Miles To Babylon: Themes test questions - CCEA - GCSE English Literature Revision

1

One relationship is central to the novel. It is...

The friendship between Alec and Jerry

Frederick and Alicia's marriage

The friendship between Alec and Bennett

2

In what way does Alec make the ultimate sacrifice for Jerry?

He shoots Jerry at the end of the novel

He deserts the army with Jerry

He replaces Jerry in front of the firing squad

3

Alicia uses the Latin phrase “Dulce et decorum est …” when arguing with Frederick that Alec should go to war. The full phrase translates as ‘It is sweet and fitting to die for one’s country.’

How does Johnston mean us to respond to this phrase?

To agree with its message

To be reminded of the horrors of war

To admire Alicia for speaking Latin

4

Who describes whom as “illiterate peasants, rascals and schoolboys”?

Alicia is describing Alec and Jerry

Major Glendinning is describing his men

Frederick is describing his stable hands

5

Read the following extract.

As the light hit his face the man began to scream again. I caught a glimmer of a wild blue eye and a splitting mouth.

‘Run it slowly down his body. I don’t think there’s much hope. Down. Along this way. I must be sure. Oh, Jesus Christ.’

I could see his hands moving slowly, two browsing animals. He fumbled for a moment and then shoved some sodden papers into my hand.

‘Keep them. Hold the torch steady, damn you. By God, if only they’d given me soldiers instead of children.’

There was a small clink of metal on metal, infinitesimal.

What scene does this extract describe?

Major Glendinning and Alec find a wounded soldier in no man’s land, the Major kills the soldier

Alec and Jerry have found Bennett in no man’s land, they try to rescue him

Alec and Bennett have found Jerry’s father in no man’s land, they take his papers to bring back to Jerry

6

Read the following extract.

‘ … Would there be a flea bag going begging?’

‘If it was only fleas in them bags how lucky we’d be,’ said one of the men.

What is “flea bag” army slang for?

A sack of food

A sleeping bag or bedroll

A particularly rough blanket

7

In the novel, a character says of two others that they will “grow old immaculately, their implacable hatred of each other hidden from the world”. Who is speaking of whom?

Alec is speaking of his parents

Jerry is speaking of his parents

Bennett is speaking of his parents

8

Major Glendinning refers to Alec and Jerry’s friendship as “unsuitable”. Why?

Because Alec and Jerry do not share the same interests

Because Alec is already best friends with Bennett

Because Alec and Jerry come from two different classes