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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 does Bam help July build in Section 3?

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

3. In Section 1, where are the children sleeping, once in the hut?

4. Why does July make Bam move the car in Section 1?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What happened to the blacks under the Small’s employ, including July?

3. What do Maureen and Bam argue about in Section 3?

4. Describe the shooting of the warthog, and the resulting meal for the Smalls.

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

6. Describe the photograph of young Maureen and her housekeeper Lydia, and why it is important.

7. What does Maureen realize now about how she treated July, and her assumption that he has taken the keys as one friend takes them from another?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One theme of the novel is that of the complete role reversal between whites and blacks in the book, as shown through both the riots in town and the relationship between Maureen and July. Explain, in detail, this role reversal. Why does it happen, what is the result, and how does this change the world as July and Maureen know it?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

The novel has a rather ambiguous ending, with Maureen running toward the helicopter, not knowing which side it represents. Explain, in detail, what this means for Maureen. Why is she running, without her family, without knowing what the end result will be? What does this say about her state of mind and her ability to continue coping outside of her comfort zone?

(see the answer keys)

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