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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. Who had once killed a lion at the meeting place of the two rivers?

2. What did Elspeth say she wanted more than anything?

3. What building material did Njombo refuse to use?

4. Who accompanied Ian Crawfurd when he arrived at Thika?

5. Why were the Orams leaving Ruiri?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did Lettice Palmer find most disturbing about Africa and what was she most concerned about for herself and fellow Europeans?

2. Describe the personalities of Mr. and Mrs. Oram.

3. How did Mrs. Palmer react to the condition of the man who was attacked and murdered on her property?

4. How did Robin and Kupanya differ in their approach to negotiating the terms of a workers' contract?

5. Why was Robin having a difficult time with the oxen?

6. Describe the relationship the Kikuyu had with their surroundings.

7. Why was Tilly so overwhelmed by Africa in the first few weeks in Thika?

8. Describe the personality of Pioneer Mary.

9. How did Juma view the local inhabitants outside of Nairobi?

10. Why did Elspeth get upset at the end of Crawford's story about the whydah birds?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Early in the book, Robin Huxley had a confrontation with the locals over the way he wanted his family's house built. Why was Robin so determined to recreate an English-style house in Africa? Why were the Africans so opposed to some of Robin's ideas? In what ways would adopting the local customs make it easier to settle in to a new area? Is it always advisable, or even possible, to recreate a certain lifestyle in a foreign land? What are the benefits of adopting the local traditions? Do you think Robin and the other Europeans were concerned about losing their European identity if they adopted too many local customs?

Essay Topic 2

While riding to Londiani, Dirk told Elspeth a detailed story about the arduous trek taken by his Boer family to their new home. Write an essay describing how these experiences influenced Dirk's behavior as an adult. Was his upbringing in a self-sufficient environment a factor in his willing abandonment of Elspeth? Was he bitter toward the English? Did he seem to have any regard for the natives? How did Dirk compare to the other Dutchman encountered in the book, Mr. Roos?

Essay Topic 3

After Njombo killed a man in a fight, he had to pay a blood price to the victim's family in the form of goats. Write an essay discussing this method of justice. How did this system help keep the peace for the locals? How did the natives maintain peace and order (they were also known not to steal from one another) if there was no threat of arrest or prison? Why was Hereward Palmer determined to introduce Western-style justice to Africa? How would a trial and prison have affected both Njombo and the tribe as a whole? Can there be different cultural approaches to justice? Or is justice black and white?

(see the answer keys)

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