View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Why are the Aboriginals upset that they are being tried under English law?

2. How are black servants paid?

3. As Australia's farms became more successful, what policy did the government introduce?

4. How do the Mardudjara people interact with the white station owners?

5. When did the first European settlers arrive in Western Australia?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do the girls' families react when the children are taken?

2. Why did the first white men to encounter Aborigines in this area treat them so badly?

3. Why does Captain Fremantle attempt to communicate with the Aborigines, and is he a good man for trying to do this?

4. Why has the arrival of white colonists been bad for the Aboriginal people?

5. What could the wildflowers, plants and animals that the girls see symbolize?

6. Who is the bravest character in this story?

7. Is Kundilla too trusting?

8. Does Major Lockyear have a duty to protect Kundilla and his people?

9. How is Maude different from other Aborigines?

10. How do the other children treat Molly, and why do you think they react to her this way?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The film version of this book is described as a story that follows the 'triumph of the human spirit.' How well does this apply to the book and the characters in it? Explain your answer using examples from the book, not the film.

Essay Topic 2

How is prejudice represented in this story? Who is prejudiced and why, and what does this cause? What is the author trying to tell the reader about prejudice, and how does she do this?

Essay Topic 3

Compare Aborigine society with white society. What are the main differences? Are there any similarities? Does one society come across as better? Why do they clash?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,246 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample