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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Bam do to try to reconcile after his argument with Maureen in Section 3?

2. What did July’s mother give up for the Smalls?

3. Why does July's family have a difficult time understanding why he had to bring the Smalls?

4. What does Maureen do when she menstruates?

5. What does July bring into the hut in Section 4?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the bakke, and its use in the Smalls family, both previously and currently.

2. What does July learn to do in Section 4, and who teaches him?

3. What was the relationship between July’s “town woman” and July? What was the relationship between July's town woman and Maureen?

4. Why is July so humiliated that Maureen doesn’t like him having the car keys?

5. Where does July explain he has been with the car in Section 4, and what is Bam’s concern?

6. Explain Martha and July's mother's reaction to meeting Maureen in Section 2.

7. What types of items does July continue to bring the Smalls family, even in his village?

8. What does the author mean by “a contempt and humiliation that came from their blood and his” (pg 62)?

9. What does Martha mean in Section 2 when she says she was surprised at the way Maureen looked?

10. What does Victor’s anger at the “stealing” of “their” water show?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The children in the novel regress throughout the book, and by the end, they are having difficulty even reading. Describe at least three moments in the book where one of the children “loses” their privileged behaviors and instead substitutes behaviors they are learning from the village children. What does this indicate about their ability to adapt, as opposed to their parents’ ability?

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the novel, Maureen relates things back to one’s economic position. Choose one of these times, and explain how Maureen views the situation. Why is the topic related to economic position? What does this say about Maureen, from a social level? On a more personal level? Do you believe Maureen is accurate in her perceptions? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast July’s character at the beginning of the novel with his behaviors at the end of the novel. How did July change over the course of the novel, and why? What are his true feelings for Maureen? For Bam? Why did he hate his true resentment for so long? Why is his resentment so deep? Could Maureen have avoided his fury?

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