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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. Why does Bam know something has happened in Section 4?

2. What does July report in Section 4 about the towns?

3. Why can’t the Smalls fly overseas?

4. What does July say about Bam to Victor when he complains about the water?

5. Where does July note that he was during his time away with the bakke?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the son mean when he says “They can’t do anything. Nothing to us anymore” (pg 21).

2. Explain Martha and July's mother's reaction to meeting Maureen in Section 2.

3. What does Martha mean in Section 2 when she says she was surprised at the way Maureen looked?

4. Describe the situation with the vehicle in Section 3.

5. In Section 2, what does July try to explain to his family about the Smalls?

6. Describe what Bam and July are able to make for the village.

7. Explain where the Smalls find themselves in the opening section, and where they came from.

8. Why do you think July is so insistent that the Smalls continue to allow him and his family to work for them?

9. What does Maureen mean when she says “death is a purchase” (pg 65)?

10. Explain what Maureen discovers as she notices various gadgets being used around the village.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast the characters of Ellen and Martha. How are they similar and how are they different? What do they each mean, or represent, to July, and how does this show his convoluted situation? What does this say about July as a person? About Ellen? About Martha?

Essay Topic 2

The photograph of Maureen and Lydia is a focal point for Maureen in the novel. Explain what that photograph would mean in apartheid South Africa. Why was this so important for Maureen as an adult? What did the photograph imply, to her, as she noted her ignorance? Do you think she has changed? How?

Essay Topic 3

In the story, Martha’s character dreams of keeping her husband near, while her husband dreams of returning to life in the city. What do you think explains these differences, and what do you think this means for the couple? What do you think July will do, regardless of the outcome of the riots? What will Martha do, and why?

(see the answer keys)

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