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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 do Bernard and Rosa plan on doing together at some point in the future?

2. What occurs on June 16, 1976 in South Africa?

3. What does Georges say that Rosa could make a living at in France?

4. What does Rosa ask of Bassie when he tells her that he does not even know her?

5. According to the architect at Donna's party, he thinks that the Leftist view of life is what?

Short Essay Questions

1. What horrific event takes place on June 16th 1976 in South Africa?

2. What are some of the experiences that Rosa and Katya share as Rosa's stay extends in Pages 214-261?

3. Who is Bernard Chabalier?

4. How do Katya and Rosa handle the idea of Lionel in their relationship?

5. In Pages 262-290, how does Rosa become part of France?

6. Why does Rosa go to London? What are Bernard's plans concerning London, and what delays him?

7. What specifically transpires in the first meeting between Brandt and Rosa?

8. Though Didier seems to be no more than a young gold digger, he does have some strong advice for Rosa. What does he tell her on the beach after their swim, and why does he believe what he says?

9. Who in Rosa's family is arrested and why?

10. What does Bernard say that the trip to Corsica is all about and what does it actually turn out to be?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is Bernard's role in the novel? Why does Gordimer create his character? What contrasts is the reader made to see through him?

Essay Topic 2

Compare Brandt's way of life and his outlook on the cause to that of Lionel's. How are they both on the same side? How are their approaches vastly different?

Essay Topic 3

Everyone plays a role in the cause, some are completely embedded in it; others have a hand in it only. Show how the involvement in the cause of four characters is either deep or on the surface but how all involvement is crucial for change.

(see the answer keys)

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