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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 July say about Bam to Victor when he complains about the water?

2. Why does July’s family have difficulty understanding why the Smalls wouldn't just fly overseas?

3. Who does Bam meet that would like to use the gun?

4. What is happening politically, economically, and socially in the novel?

5. On what do the Smalls become intoxicated?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is July’s plan to tell people, when they question his driving of the bakke, and why does Bam object?

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

3. Why does July object to Maureen’s use of his wife’s cough syrup?

4. What does Maureen mean when she thinks that the balance between love and duty is maintained differently based on the lovers’ place in the economy?

5. How does Maureen get the car keys in Section 4, why, and what is July’s reaction?

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

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

8. What does July say that makes Maureen equally angry in Section 5?

9. Where does July explain he has been with the car in Section 4, and what is Bam’s concern?

10. What is happening in South Africa at the time of the novel?

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 character of Maureen at the beginning of the novel, and at the end of the novel. What are similarities? What are differences? How has she changed through the novel, and what caused her to change?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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