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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. In "African religions," why did Bessie say that most of Asia was blanked out as barbaric in her school's geography book?

2. In Chapter 2, Bessie states that the only education for blacks in South Africa is what?

3. In Chapter 2, whose religious ideas hold great appeal for Bessie?

4. What does Bessie state was totally absent in her?

5. Bessie states that the system in South Africa sees blacks as not what?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why according to Bessie has Botswana survived by "sheer luck and unexpected good fortune"?

2. Why was Bessie able to write in Botswana rather than South Africa?

3. How are Bessie and the American woman different?

4. In Chapter 2, what does Bessie think that the spirit of the Nigra Goddess has done for the blacks in America?

5. Why does Bessie consider Botswana the "most unique and distinguished country in Africa"?

6. When Bessie arrived in Botswana in 1964, what were the major differences that she noticed between that country and South Africa?

7. How does Bessie describe the world that a black South African is born into?

8. Why does Bessie think of the American woman as some sort of goddess?

9. In "God and The Underdog," what does Bessie feel fuels revolutions?

10. What was Bessie's life like during the two years that she lived in the refugee community in northern Botswana?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Bessie's friend, Snowball, had a difficult time living in District Six in Capetown. What was Snowball's general demeanor? Even though he was devoutly religious, what did he believe could live together in chaotic happiness? How was Snowball treated by the landlady and most of the community? Could they see beyond the fact that he had once been a professional thief and served jail time? Was this fair to him? What kind of humbling lesson did Snowball teach Bessie? What did she learn about herself and her attitude toward religion? Why did Bessie finally give up trying to protect Snowball? Do you think that Snowball left a lasting impression on Bessie?

Essay Topic 2

Bessie thinks that friendship is very important in South Africa. What kind of country is South Africa, according to her? What do you find yourself doing if you have friends? What are you left alone to face if your friends flee the country? What do friends allow you to do that Bessie feels is essential to not becoming passive? Describe the good friend that Bessie had in South Africa and what effect his fleeing the country had on her.

Essay Topic 3

In "An unspeakable crime", Bessie expresses her disdain of the Coloured Affairs Department. What are they doing in Port Elizabeth and Capetown that she disagrees with? Describe the actions of the coloureds, whom she feels are accessories to the crime. Are they ashamed of their actions? Should they be? Do you think that they truly don't know their own minds and think that the Coloured Affairs Department knows what's best for their children? Or, do they see the situation for what it is and go along with it because it's the only way to survive?

(see the answer keys)

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