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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What, does Bessie feel that exploitation and evil are dependent on?
(a) Cultural misunderstandings.
(b) Financial imbalance.
(c) Resigned acceptance of authority.
(d) Lack of communication between oppressor and oppressed.

2. Which of Bessie's novels is the only one that truly reflects a black South African viewpoint?
(a) Maru.
(b) A Question of Power.
(c) None.
(d) When Rain Clouds Gather.

3. Bogadi marriages are arranged to retain what?
(a) Control.
(b) Suppression of women.
(c) Cattle wealth.
(d) Polygamy.

4. In Chapter2, how does Bessie describe her third novel, "A Question of Power"?
(a) Difficult to write.
(b) A work of excruciating detail.
(c) Intensely personal and private.
(d) The most satisfying.

5. What was Bessie suffering from when she was trying to forge a friendship with the American woman?
(a) Gout.
(b) Mental troubles.
(c) Scarlet fever.
(d) Menopause.

Short Answer Questions

1. In Chapter 2, what does Bessie say is the root of traditional African life?

2. In Chapter 2, Bessie believes that God is embodied in whom?

3. Bessie describes Botswana men as what?

4. In "Notes on novels," how is pre-colonial invasion South Africa described?

5. Josef Herman, the artist who lived through the Nazi invasion of Poland, fled to what country?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why was it so difficult for Bessie to deal with South Africa creatively?

2. When Bessie arrived in Botswana in 1964, what were the major differences that she noticed between that country and South Africa?

3. How are Bessie and the American woman different?

4. In "African Religions," what, does Bessie state is the main difference between Asian and African religious ideals?

5. What was Bessie's first experience of racism in a black form?

6. In the conclusion of Chapter 2, how does Bessie summarize her life experiences?

7. Why does Bessie consider Botswana the "most unique and distinguished country in Africa"?

8. In "A Note on Rain Clouds," what does Bessie state is thwarting young, idealistic, black men and their ideals?

9. In "God and The Underdog," what does Bessie feel fuels revolutions?

10. How does Bessie describe the world that a black South African is born into?

(see the answer keys)

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