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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 kind of Mother is Effia to Quey?

2. How does Tansi comfort Esi?

3. Why does Maame try to refuse a house servant?

4. Who has raised Kojo since his parents failed to escape?

5. What does the Devil do when he finds Sam and Ness?

Short Essay Questions

1. Discuss some of the differences James and Effia have when it comes to their understanding of voodoo and black magic.

2. Why have Quey and Fiifi arranged the marriage between James and Amma?

3. What clues do we have that Baaba is not Effia’s real mother?

4. Why does James attempt to separate himself from Effia after receiving letters from his British wife, Anne?

5. Why does Ness describe her marriage to Sam as "this unholy holy union" (81)?

6. How do Kojo and Anna go about teaching their children to be careful in the face of the Fugitive Slave Act?

7. Describe Kwame Asare's transition to the tile of "Big Man."

8. Why does Fiifi use the story of the three birds to explain his reasons for trading with different groups?

9. Why does Effia most likely refuse to beat Quey?

10. How does Adwoa serve as a mentor for Effia?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Quey tells David that "the war the Asantes and the British are fighting now...will continue...far longer than you or I or even James can live to see...There will always be blood" (93). Write an essay in which you examine the truth of this statement.

Essay Topic 2

The black stones are obviously key symbols within this novel. However, many other instances of rocks, stones, and coal are mentioned. Write an essay in which you detail the meaning behind one or more of these objects.

Essay Topic 3

Throughout the text, the Twi language plays a great role in the lives of various characters. Write an essay detailing how the language impacts the course of at least three characters' lives.

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This section contains 989 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample