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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 Camara's mother forbid the men to do to the animal that she has to bring to its feet?

2. When is the douga sung?

3. What does young Camara do in his father's forge?

4. Why does Camara's father always do the gold work himself?

5. Who is the douga reserved for?

Short Essay Questions

1. How are Camara's father's apprentices treated, and how does Camara feel about this?

2. Describe the initial relationship between Camara and Fanta?

3. Why does Camara's father always do the gold work himself, never leaving it to the apprentices or other workers?

4. What do the reapers do while they work on the fields, and how is their relationship?

5. According to Camara, what do many people think about country people, and what is Camara's opinion about them?

6. Describe Camara's school clothes when he is a child. How does Camara feel about these clothes while in Tindican?

7. What happens when Camara's friend Kouyate Karmoko says that he's had enough after a particularly cruel beating?

8. While he was growing up, what were the rules during meals in Camara's parents' household?

9. How is the special black snake involved with Camara's father's gold work?

10. When Camara arrives in Tindican as a child, how does his grandmother react?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Chapter 2 of "The Dark Child" talks mainly about the gold work Camara's father performs. This gold work creates positive and negative reactions throughout the chapter. Compare/contrast the reactions of the chapter's characters in relation to the significance of the gold work. Use supporting evidence to discuss the different emotions towards the gold/gold work.

Essay Topic 2

In the African culture, rituals are important. Describe the preparatory ritual of Camara's father before he does gold work. What does this ritual involve? Why is this ritual important? Compare this ritual to other rituals Camara's father performs throughout "The Dark Child."

Essay Topic 3

In chapter 9, Camara leaves home for Conakry. This is an important change in his life in relation to his environment, lifestyle and companions. Compare/contrast all these changes to his life before he turned fifteen.

(see the answer keys)

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