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My Family and Other Animals

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Gerald Durrell

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 1956

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My Family and Other Animals

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My Family and Other Animals Test | Final Test - Easy

My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell

This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What illuminates the family's nighttime picnic at the bay? (a) Phosphorus and cigarettes. (b) Fireflies and lanterns. (c) Lanterns and a fire. (d) Fireflies and phosphorus.

2. What colors are the cyclamen that grow under the olive trees? (a) White and purple. (b) Magenta and white. (c) Magenta and red-wine. (d) Red-wine and white.

3. Who is Gerry's tutor in the beginning of Part III: Chapter 14, The Talking Flowers? (a) Mr. Kralefsky. (b) Peter. (c) Larry. (d) George.

4. What names are given to the magpies that Gerry takes from the nest? (a) Dee and Dum. (b) Widdle and Puke. (c) Achilles and Ulysses. (d) Magenpies.

5. The toads that Gerry finds are the size of: (a) A teacup. (b) A small tortoise. (c) An average size saucer. (d) A large plate.

6. Where does Spiro obtain Gerry's goldfish? (a) The bay. (b) The palace of Spirodian. (c) The palace of the Greek King. (d) The pet store.

7. In Part II: Conversation, where does the family spend most of its time eating, sleeping, reading, and/or arguing? (a) The garden. (b) The veranda. (c) The bay. (d) The olive groves.

8. At the snow-white villa, what does Gerry get on intimate terms with? (a) Squirrels. (b) Owls. (c) Mantids. (d) Lacewings.

9. What does the crumbling wall that surrounded the sunken garden provide Gerry? (a) A great view of the Tortoise Hills. (b) A rich hunting ground. (c) Something to spackle. (d) An imaginary world of make-believe.

10. Under the loose plaster of the crumbing wall, what does Gerry find? (a) A black scorpion. (b) A white scorpion. (c) A black beetle. (d) Earwigs.

11. How does winter come to the island of Corfu? (a) Fiercely. (b) Slowly and steadily. (c) With a howl and a shriek. (d) Gently.

12. What does Kralefsky's mother think about flowers? (a) They are wonderful to work with. (b) That birds prefer daisies. (c) They smell beautiful. (d) That they can talk.

13. What uncharacteristic thing does Larry do in Part II: Chapter 12, the Woodcock Winter? (a) Go hunting. (b) Help Mother in the kitchen. (c) Go on a diet. (d) Take dancing lessons.

14. Who does Gerry walk to the sea with? (a) Old Plop. (b) A criminal. (c) Larry. (d) Theodore.

15. Which two Durrell family members get motion sickness in the boats? (a) Mother and Dodo. (b) Theodore and Puke. (c) Puke and Peter. (d) Theodore and Dodo.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why is the snow-white villa given its name?

2. How many baby magpies does Gerry take from the nest?

3. Where is the Durrell family planning to move in Part II: Conversation?

4. What event gets Margo out of the attic?

5. What gives Spiro a weak stomach?

(see the answer keys)

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My Family and Other Animals Symbols, Allegory and Motifs

By gerald durrell.

These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community. We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make your own.

Written by Elizabeth Shaw

Mother's bathing suit

Gerald's mother buys herself a bathing suit, which the children describe as being like a "badly skinned whale." Her swimsuit is very old fashioned, which is a symbol of her conservative personality, compared to her children's.

The Corfu weather

The sunny Corfu weather represents their happy life. Although they at first struggle with the transition, Corfu becomes their real home, with Gerald Durrell saying that he wouldn't have wished for his childhood to be any different. The following passage describes the carefree and idyllic life the Durrells enjoy in Corfu, singing in the sun: "What fools are we, eh? What fools, sitting her in the sun, singing."

Gerald's Pelican

Gerald brings a pelican back to the house, as one of his many absurd pets. The pelican is one of the stranger animals he brings back and represents his passion for exotic and interesting animals.

Gerald's Boat

Leslie gives Gerald a boat for his birthday. This allows him to go out into the ocean and see aquatic life. Previously, he had no access to these species, meaning the boat represents his increased freedom and happiness.

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My Family and Other Animals Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for My Family and Other Animals is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Describe the disaster with the terrapin pond.

In Chapter 18, Gerald adds goldfish to his new terrapin pond and believes the pond is now ready to be admired by company. When Gerald later checks on the animals, he is upset to find that two of his goldfish have been partially eaten by terrapin,...

Write any three activities of Dr Theodore and Gerald being together.

In Chapter Five, Gerald bursts in on Gerald while he is entertaining. George introduces Gerald to his friend Dr. Theodore Stephanides. Theodore, said to be an expert on all by George, offers his insight but suggests they take a look to confirm....

Who guides the family in Corfu?

Sipro, the local taxi driver, guides the family through Corfu.

Study Guide for My Family and Other Animals

My Family and Other Animals study guide contains a biography of Gerald Durrell, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

  • About My Family and Other Animals
  • My Family and Other Animals Summary
  • Character List

my family and other animals essay questions

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COMMENTS

  1. My Family and Other Animals Essay Questions

    The Question and Answer section for My Family and Other Animals is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel. Describe the disaster with the terrapin pond. In Chapter 18, Gerald adds goldfish to his new terrapin pond and believes the pond is now ready to be admired by company.

  2. My Family and Other Animals Study Guide

    Extra Credit for My Family and Other Animals. Should've Sent Him Away. Gerald Durrell's brother, Lawrence Durrell, a well-known author in his own right, has been quoted as saying that his brother's books are proof that children should be sent away to boarding school and not allowed to sit in on adult conversations and goings-on. Naming Honors.

  3. My Family and Other Animals Questions and Answers

    Answers: 1. Asked by kayla m #1290864. Last updated by jill d #170087 a year ago 2/20/2023 8:43 AM. My Family and Other Animals. Q2.

  4. My Family and Other Animals Essay Topics & Writing Assignments

    This comprehensive lesson plan includes 30 daily lessons, 180 multiple choice questions, 20 essay questions, 20 fun activities, and more - everything you need to teach My Family and Other Animals!

  5. My Family and Other Animals Topics for Discussion

    Discuss the importance of the seasons. How does the author use the seasons in the... (read more) This section contains 212 words. (approx. 1 page at 400 words per page) View a FREE sample. More summaries and resources for teaching or studying My Family and Other Animals. Browse all BookRags Study Guides.

  6. My Family and Other Animals Summary

    Part 1: The Migration. One drizzly and dark day in Bournemouth, England, the Durrells sit in their living room, fighting their usual ailments brought on by the weather. Larry, the eldest son, is irritated and suggests that they escape the weather by moving to Corfu, Greece. Though Mother says the idea is ridiculous, she agrees.

  7. My Family and Other Animals Short Essay

    This comprehensive lesson plan includes 30 daily lessons, 180 multiple choice questions, 20 essay questions, 20 fun activities, and more - everything you need to teach My Family and Other Animals!

  8. My Family and Other Animals

    My Family and Other Animals (1956) is an autobiographical book by British naturalist Gerald Durrell.It tells in an exaggerated and sometimes fictionalised way of the years that he lived as a child with his siblings and widowed mother on the Greek island of Corfu between 1935 and 1939. It describes the life of the Durrell family in a humorous manner, and explores the fauna of the island.

  9. Friendship and the Care of Animals Theme Analysis

    LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in My Family and Other Animals, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. For Gerry, the only things in life that are more important than his scientific pursuits are his relationships with his friends, especially his non-human friends. He carefully anthropomorphizes all the ...

  10. My Family and Other Animals Test

    Essay Topics. Write an essay for ONE of the following topics: Essay Topic 1. Gerry's education, or lack thereof, is almost a constant consideration of Mother's and the family. Throughout the book, Gerry has several tutors, George, the Belgian consul, Peter, and Mr. Kralefsky. Compare and contrast their methods of trying to tutor Gerry.

  11. My Family and Other Animals Summary

    Plot Summary. My Family and Other Animals is an autobiographical novel written by Gerald Durrell in 1956. He tells the story of his time living on the Greek island Corfu with his widowed mother, siblings, and all the fauna they encountered. The novel opens in dreary England.

  12. My Family and Other Animals: Part 1, Chapter 4 Summary & Analysis

    Upgrade to unlock the analysis and theme tracking for all of My Family and Other Animals! Roger finds the whole business of education boring, but he spends his mornings under the table nonetheless. Quasimodo tries to join in for a while, but she is eventually banished. Some mornings, George conducts his lessons outside.

  13. My Family And Other Animals Teaching Resources

    The My Family and Other Animals lesson plan contains a variety of teaching materials that cater to all learning styles. Inside you'll find 30 Daily Lessons, 20 Fun Activities, 180 Multiple Choice Questions, 60 Short Essay Questions, 20 Essay Questions, Quizzes/Homework Assignments, Tests, and more. The lessons and activities will help students ...

  14. My Family and Other Animals : Pets as Kin

    The title of this paper gives a family-like character to animals and an animal-like character to the idea of family. It emphasises the close, family and friend-like relationships that can exist between human beings and the animals who share their domestic space. This type of relationship between humans and their pets emerged during a study of ...

  15. My Family and Other Animals Lesson Plans for Teachers

    The My Family and Other Animals lesson plan contains a variety of teaching materials that cater to all learning styles. Inside you'll find 30 Daily Lessons, 20 Fun Activities, 180 Multiple Choice Questions, 60 Short Essay Questions, 20 Essay Questions, Quizzes/Homework Assignments, Tests, and more. The lessons and activities will help students ...

  16. My Family and Other Animals

    Families Comparison EssayA family is a most precious identity a person can have. An individual from a noble, average or poor family can be distinguished by the character, acts, behavior, and living style. A person spends most of his time in life with the family and thus the family contributes the most in an individuals growth, thinking and ...

  17. My Family and Other Animals: Part 2, Chapter 7 Summary & Analysis

    The furniture that came with the villa is old and promptly begins falling apart. Finally, Mother decides that they need to buy new furniture to prepare for Larry's guests. The next morning, Spiro drives Mother, Margo, and Gerry into town to buy furniture. The town is crowded and boisterous, and after they buy furniture, they get swept up in the crowd heading away from the car.

  18. How One Family Lost $900,000 in a Timeshare Scam

    A Mexican drug cartel is targeting seniors and their timeshares. Hosted by Katrin Bennhold. Produced by Asthaa Chaturvedi and Will Reid. With Clare Toeniskoetter and Lynsea Garrison. Edited by ...

  19. My Family and Other Animals Test

    This comprehensive lesson plan includes 30 daily lessons, 180 multiple choice questions, 20 essay questions, 20 fun activities, and more - everything you need to teach My Family and Other Animals!

  20. My Family and Other Animals Symbols, Allegory and Motifs

    The Question and Answer section for My Family and Other Animals is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel. Describe the disaster with the terrapin pond. In Chapter 18, Gerald adds goldfish to his new terrapin pond and believes the pond is now ready to be admired by company.