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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 Maureen say about July being afraid in Section 7?

2. What does Gina do in Section 6 to bring about admonishment from Maureen?

3. What has the government promised to do to help the local chiefs?

4. Who does Maureen suddenly realize has been missing in Section 10 since the object in her hut also dissapeared?

5. What does Bam ask about Maureen’s actions with the small animals born in their hut?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Martha wonder most about the white woman, when she lived in town with July?

2. Describe the scene where Bam lays face first in the bed. What happened, and what does this signify?

3. Explain how July sees his chief.

4. After more conversation in Chapter 6, what does Martha reveal she was really concerned with?

5. Describe Maureen’s point about the smell of her family.

6. Describe the gumba-gumba, and the resulting party atmosphere.

7. What is missing when the Smalls arrive back at the hut in Section 9, and what does this likely mean for the family?

8. What does Bam try to explain about why the chief shouldn’t kill his own people?

9. Why do you think Gina and the kids are so readily accepted, but Bam and Maureen are not?

10. Explain the function of the black man the Smalls meet before the chief.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

July’s mother is a powerful female figure in his life. At the same time, however, she is being forced to do as July says. How does her role as a woman in the novel differ from the role of Maureen as a woman? Both are mothers and strong women. How do their differences show the differences in cultures, and how do their similarities show similarity in culture?

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the novel, Maureen relates things back to one’s economic position. Choose one of these times, and explain how Maureen views the situation. Why is the topic related to economic position? What does this say about Maureen, from a social level? On a more personal level? Do you believe Maureen is accurate in her perceptions? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast July’s character at the beginning of the novel with his behaviors at the end of the novel. How did July change over the course of the novel, and why? What are his true feelings for Maureen? For Bam? Why did he hate his true resentment for so long? Why is his resentment so deep? Could Maureen have avoided his fury?

(see the answer keys)

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