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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How did the British refer to Botswana in the early 1800's?
(a) Barren land of heathens.
(b) Desert full of blacks.
(c) God-awful country to live in.
(d) Hell on earth.

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

3. Bessie states that the system in South Africa sees blacks as not what?
(a) Worthy.
(b) Intelligent.
(c) Human.
(d) Ambitious.

4. In Chapter 2, Bessie believes that God is embodied in whom?
(a) The souls of all black Africans.
(b) The American woman.
(c) The children.
(d) Her adoptive mother.

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

6. What, does Bessie feel that exploitation and evil are dependent on?
(a) Resigned acceptance of authority.
(b) Lack of communication between oppressor and oppressed.
(c) Cultural misunderstandings.
(d) Financial imbalance.

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

8. Bessie describes Botswana men as what?
(a) Unattractive.
(b) Immature.
(c) Not nice.
(d) Unmotivated.

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

10. In African culture, what can't a woman do to their husband?
(a) Lodge complaints against them.
(b) Berate them.
(c) Divorce them.
(d) Strike them.

11. According to an account by Dr. W.H.C. Lichtenstein, Botswana men only do work that can be what?
(a) Viewed as manly.
(b) Sold or traded.
(c) Dropped suddenly.
(d) Considered too important for women.

12. In Chapter 2, what does Bessie state is responsible for the elimination of polygamy in Botswana?
(a) New laws.
(b) Education.
(c) Women's movement.
(d) Christianity.

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

14. According to Bessie in "African religions," what is at the root and foundation of African religion?
(a) Sacrifice.
(b) Family.
(c) Prayer.
(d) Communal goodness.

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

Short Answer Questions

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

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

3. What did Bessie feel defeated her in South Africa as a writer?

4. In Chapter 2, Bessie states that Botswana has survived by what?

5. When did Bessie first get published?

(see the answer keys)

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