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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. How did Grandmother say Chipo felt when Nhamo was born?

2. What is the name of Nhamo's favorite baboon baby?

3. In what lake is the island?

4. What does the family not do while eating dinner?

5. What is a nganga?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the story that Nhamo tells herself while waiting for her boat to be repaired?

2. How does Nhamo figure out a better way to hollow out her boat?

3. What happens to Nhamo while she is fighting against the current, and what does this mean to her?

4. What does Nhamo do to calm her fears while she waits for the hippos to leave?

5. What does Nhamo do for Masvita when she can't sleep?

6. What does Nhamo dream about after being stung?

7. What does Grandmother tell Nhamo about her mother the day Masvita enters womanhood?

8. What happens when Nhamo procrastinates checking her animal traps?

9. What did Nhamo's grandmother do when her daughter was eaten by a leopard, and why is this so touching to Nhamo?

10. What happens when the baboons on the island see Nhamo?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The pursuit of happiness is a common theme found in this book. What parts of the plot embody this theme, and how does that pursuit affect the characters involved?

Essay Topic 2

There are three cultures presented in this book. What are they, and how do they relate to each other? How does each of these play a role in Nhamo's life?

Essay Topic 3

Symbolism is a prevalent literary device used by the author. What are some of these symbols, and how does their presence affect the course of the plot?

(see the answer keys)

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