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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 is Salim's first customer?

2. Who is the slave that Salim's family sends to stay with him?

3. What is the clear difference between Salim and Father Huismans, aside from religion?

4. What comes down the river in a dugout?

5. What does Indar mean when he tells Salim he's where it's at.

Short Essay Questions

1. What is happening with the town shortly after Salim arrives?

2. How do Salim and Metty begin to react with Ferdinand?

3. What makes the trip longer and more complicated?

4. Why is Indar edgy after the party?

5. Describe the reunion of Salim and Indar.

6. What is Raymond's story about the President as a young man?

7. What does Salim observe about the foreigners at the Domain?

8. Explain how the reader understands that Salim is inexperienced with women.

9. Explain why Zabeth brings Ferdinand to see Salim.

10. What does Salim think about the slaves on the east coast of Africa?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Look up information about the Nobel Prize for Literature and write an essay about V. S. Naipaul as a Nobel Prize winner. How do you rate Naipaul as a story teller? Explain whether you think A BEND IN THE RIVER is a compelling read.

Essay Topic 2

Write a paper on the importance of expressing gratitude in human relations. Use Ferdinand's short note to Salim and Metty after the threat of war subsides in the town. Explain why it is necessary to thank people who perform some service or give some gift.

Essay Topic 3

Using the Domain and the houses occupied by Indar and Raymond and Yvette, write an essay about the shallowness of appearances. Using Salim's shame at showing his store and flat to Indar, discuss how putting on airs by rich appearances is ultimately not authentic.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 642 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample