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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 much land do the Komoeties have?

2. How old is Kransie in Chapter 1?

3. In Chapter 6, how many spoonfuls of sugar does Fiela stir into Selling's brew?

4. What type of wood can Fiela smell when she goes inside the house in Chapter 6?

5. By the end of April in Chapter 4, how long have the Komoeties been taking the ostriches to the pasture?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is Barta cared for when Lukas is missing?

2. How did Fiela get a male ostrich?

3. In Chapter 9, what happens when Barta comes to see Benjamin?

4. How did Benjamin come to live with Selling and Fiela?

5. How is Pollie settling in at Fiela's?

6. Who is Benjamin, and where does he and his family live?

7. What does Fiela decide to do on Monday in Chapter 10?

8. What does Elias van Rooyen do for a living, and how does his work compare to the work other families on Barnard's Island do?

9. In Chapter 10, what does Benjamin see and feel when he gets to Barnard's Island?

10. What work does Selling do, and why is work a struggle for him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Life with the van Rooyens is very different from what Benjamin is used to. How is Benjamin’s life with the Van Rooyens different from what he is used to? How does Benjamin have to adapt to his new life?

Essay Topic 2

After Benjamin is taken, Fiela makes everyone work hard. What is revealed about the healing power of work when Fiela makes everyone work hard?

Essay Topic 3

Flashbacks are a literary device used to provide information about events that took place before the story began. How does the author use flashbacks in the novel? How does the author’s choice to use flashback affect the plot?

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