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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. How does Michael respond to Vinu's story of abuse from her father?

2. How does Silas know that Lydia has left him for good?

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

4. Where does Michael go to intercept Du Boise and to kill him?

5. Now that she has started working a new job, what does Lydia speak of wanting to purchase?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Ali Ali end up living in South Africa?

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

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

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

5. How did Ouma Angel die?

6. Why does Michael travel back to the city where he grew up?

7. What happens when Michael finally comes face-to-face with Du Boise in the shopping mall?

8. How does Silas react to having Lydia back in their home to recover?

9. How did Michael bribe the Imam to help him in his murderous plans?

10. What announcement does Julian make while out for lunch at "The Crucible" with his friends.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the novel, Silas struggles to reconnect to his wife, Lydia, but finds himself unable, or unwilling, to reach her. Give two examples of times in the novel when Silas tries to reach out to his wife but fails. Then, briefly explain why each of his attempts fails. What hidden demons continue to haunt Silas in his marriage?

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

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.

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This section contains 972 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample