A Woman Alone: Autobiographical Writings Short Question Test Answer Key

Short Answer Key

Chapter 1, Beginnings, South Africa, 1937-1964

1. Bessie Head was born in what year?

1937.

2. Where was Bessie born?

In a mental hospital.

3. What race was Bessie's mother?

White

4. What race was Bessie's father?

Black.

5. Bessie says that she grew up knowing only whom?

Herself.

6. What did Bessie's father take care of?

Race horses.

7. Who raised Bessie?

A black foster mother.

8. Where was Bessie sent at age 13?

Missionary orphanage.

9. What was Bessie forbidden to do on holidays?

Visit her adoptive mother.

10. What did the Durban Magistrate Court tell Bessie?

Her mother was white.

11. What additional information did the social worker tell Bessie?

Her mother was insane.

12. What did Bessie learn to hate?

Christianity.

13. Bessie had stories to tell but couldn't write them. Why?

She panicked and felt dead inside.

14. What was Bessie's biggest...
(read more)