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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In "African religions," why did Bessie say that most of Asia was blanked out as barbaric in her school's geography book?
(a) Asia was mostly unknown, back then.
(b) They were not considered civilized.
(c) They were difficult to convert to Christianity.
(d) They were not democratic.

2. In Chapter 2, Bessie states that the only education for blacks in South Africa is what?
(a) Political.
(b) Biased.
(c) Cultural.
(d) Controlled.

3. Bessie's suffering in South Africa created in her a reverence for what?
(a) Ordinary people.
(b) Innocence.
(c) Quiet.
(d) Peace.

4. What is the only industry that the British used Botswana for?
(a) Railroad.
(b) Timber production.
(c) Mining.
(d) Farming.

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

6. In her research for her novel, "Maru," Bessie worked right at the roots of what?
(a) Racial hatred.
(b) Christianity.
(c) Oppression.
(d) South African cultural diversity.

7. In Chapter 2, Bessie states that the South African blacks have been stripped bare of what?
(a) Their basic natures.
(b) All personal integrity.
(c) Hopes and dreams.
(d) Every human right.

8. In Chapter 2, whose religious ideas hold great appeal for Bessie?
(a) The Pope.
(b) The local bishop.
(c) Professor Mbiti.
(d) Buddah.

9. What does Bessie attribute her bad habits and violent nature to?
(a) Fellow refugees.
(b) Drugs.
(c) Mental instability.
(d) How she grew up.

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

11. In Chapter2, how does Bessie describe her third novel, "A Question of Power"?
(a) Intensely personal and private.
(b) The most satisfying.
(c) A work of excruciating detail.
(d) Difficult to write.

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

13. In "Makeba music," where would Russian people caught dealing in the black market be deported to?
(a) Israel.
(b) United States.
(c) Siberia.
(d) Africa.

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

15. In old African custom, what were women forbidden to handle?
(a) Silk.
(b) Goats.
(c) Ivory.
(d) Cattle.

Short Answer Questions

1. In Chapter 2, what does Bessie say is the root of traditional African life?

2. How many cattle died in the major drought in Botswana?

3. What was Bessie suffering from when she was trying to forge a friendship with the American woman?

4. In "A Question of Power," Bessie states that what can lead a people or a nation into a terrible abyss of destruction?

5. Bessie describes Botswana men as what?

(see the answer keys)

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