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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. Which of the following is NOT a physical change Silas's mother endured after meeting Du Boise?

2. Where does Silas sit to think about the effect Joao has had on his life?

3. What does Silas fantasize about when thinking about his upcoming birthday party.

4. In what country did Silas apply to be an ambassador?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Lydia called in for a meeting at Mikey's school with Dr. Johnson?

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

3. Who is Joao?

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

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

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

7. While planning Silas's birthday party, what worries overcome Kate's thoughts at the dinner table?

8. Where does Michael shoot Vinu's father, and what is his reaction to the crime?

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

10. How does Mikey change in the month after his mother returns from the hospital?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Although Du Boise is not present in most of the text, his character proves to be one of the most influential characters in the novel. Briefly describe Du Boise as he is presented in the text, and explain how one action in his life has so deeply affected all the members of the Ali family.

Essay Topic 2

One of the biggest acts of betrayal in this novel is the way that Alec betrays his friendship with Silas and keeps a dark secret from him for almost twenty years. Explain what secret Alec is keeping from Silas, and what lengths he goes to in order to ensure that the secret would never come out. Then, explain why Alec finally decides to tell Silas, and how this admittance affected their relationship.

Essay Topic 3

The novel "Bitter Fruit" is set in post-apartheid South Africa. Even though the apartheid is no longer happening, the residual effects of this ethnic segregation are still very present in the lives of the Ali family. Briefly explain how the apartheid affected the Ali family directly, and give two examples of the residual effects of segregation that continue to affect all the black Africans living in South Africa.

(see the answer keys)

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