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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. What look does Du Boise have on his face at the moment Michael shoots him?

2. Where did Michael decide to point the gun when he shot Vinu's father?

3. Why isn't Lydia at home when Silas returns on the night of his birthday party?

4. Which of the following groups of people is NOT one that Silas meets with while writing the TRC report?

5. What nickname has Vinu given to Michael?

Short Essay Questions

1. What story of abuse does Vinu tell Michael when she meets him at his home?

2. What practice does Michael do before he attempts to kill Vinu's father?

3. How does Lydia react to the news that Du Boise is dead?

4. What information does Michael have, and think about, before he shoots Du Boise?

5. Who is Joao?

6. What measures has Lydia taken to ensure that she will be able to escape from her family and relocate in Cape Town?

7. What happened when Michael witnessed a convoy of cars outside his father's birthday party?

8. How does Michael come into possession of the gun he will use to kill Vinu's father?

9. How does Alec behave when he and Silas go out for dinner before Mam Agnes's anniversary party?

10. Why does Vinu emerge from the bushes, screaming and striking at Silas, and what is his reaction to the outburst?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Silas's fiftieth birthday party proves to be the moment when the entire Ali family realizes that their bonds have completely disintegrated. Explain the events of the night of Silas's birthday party, and the reactions that each family member, Silas, Lydia, and Mikey, has to each of these events, and how they know their family never will be the same again.

Essay Topic 2

The use of religion is carefully plotted out by Dangor as Mikey makes his transition from boyhood to manhood in the novel. There are two main religious icons used as symbols in the text: the Kaaba stone and the Imam. Briefly describe both the Kaaba stone and Imam, and explain how each of these religious symbols affected Mikey in his coming-of-age.

Essay Topic 3

The character of Vinu provides an interesting foil for the drama that Michael is enduring. Briefly describe Vinu's character and explain why Michael is so interested in her story of abuse. Then, explain how Michael exploits Vinu's personal history to promote his own agenda in the political world.

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