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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. By the 1830's, most of the tribes of South Africa were what?
(a) Assimilated into other tribes.
(b) Christians.
(c) Extinct.
(d) Landless.

2. In "African religions," Bessie states that African religion doesn't receive value because they don't have what?
(a) Ornate houses of worship.
(b) Large congregations.
(c) Deity figurines to worship.
(d) Money for recruiting followers.

3. What is a "bogadi," in African culture?
(a) Bride price.
(b) Religious statue.
(c) Type of bread.
(d) Village square.

4. In Chapter 2, what did the British go to Rhodesia to find?
(a) Schooling.
(b) Work.
(c) Gold.
(d) Relaxation.

5. Bessie feels that literature in South Africa is very what?
(a) Soothing.
(b) Rebellious.
(c) Functional.
(d) Necessary.

6. What kind of large mine was discovered in Africa after independence?
(a) Copper.
(b) Gold.
(c) Diamond.
(d) Uranium.

7. Who is the main character in Bessie's first novel, "When Rain Clouds Gather"?
(a) Tribal leader.
(b) Young, black, radical woman.
(c) Black, South African refugee.
(d) British missionary.

8. What special category did Bessie see her writing in?
(a) Blazing a new trail into the future.
(b) Sufferer exposing the truth.
(c) Black woman with her own style.
(d) South African telling a South African story.

9. In "A Question of Power," Bessie states that what can lead a people or a nation into a terrible abyss of destruction?
(a) Rage.
(b) Prejudice.
(c) Evil.
(d) Greed.

10. What does Bessie state was totally absent in her?
(a) Sense of belonging.
(b) Sense of history.
(c) Empathy.
(d) Political fervor.

11. What people did the Bushmen resemble?
(a) White Afrikaners.
(b) Black South Africans.
(c) Chinese.
(d) Black Irish.

12. In "African religions," what does African religion focus on?
(a) Mutual cooperation.
(b) Deities.
(c) Afterlife.
(d) Sacrifice.

13. Bogadi marriages are arranged to retain what?
(a) Control.
(b) Cattle wealth.
(c) Polygamy.
(d) Suppression of women.

14. In "Despite broken bondage . . .," in the old days a woman was only regarded as sacred if she what?
(a) Was a virgin.
(b) Was an elder.
(c) Owned cattle.
(d) Knew her place.

15. What year was the old British Bechuanaland Protectorate established in Botswana?
(a) 1890.
(b) 1860.
(c) 1885.
(d) 1901.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who was the great leader of Botswana that protected it's people?

2. What does Bessie attribute her bad habits and violent nature to?

3. Bessie feels that the main function of a writer is to communicate what?

4. In "Notes on novels," how is pre-colonial invasion South Africa described?

5. In "Despite broken bondage . . .," what does Bessie say the emancipation of women in Botswana was rooted in?

(see the answer keys)

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