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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 is July trying to fix on the car in Section 7?

2. Why does Martha find it odd when July answers her questions?

3. At the end of the book, what does Maureen hear that is different than usual sounds?

4. By the end of Section 7, what does Maureen realize about July and his feelings for her?

5. Where does Maureen end up finding July in Section 10 after an object goes missing from her hut?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do you think Maureen runs for the helicopter at the end of the novel, leaving her family behind?

2. Describe the birth of animals in the Smalls’ hut, and how that relates to the accusation of theft.

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

4. Why is Maureen surprised when July mentions he wants things to go back?

5. Describe what Bam’s feeding of the children shows, in terms of his role in the household, compared to his previous life?

6. Why is Martha resentful toward Maureen when she asks where July has gone in Section 10?

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

8. What is July’s mother’s primary objection to the white people?

9. Explain how Maureen feels about her husband after living in the village for a time.

10. Describe the shared moment of mockery between Martha and Maureen.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The children in the novel regress throughout the book, and by the end, they are having difficulty even reading. Describe at least three moments in the book where one of the children “loses” their privileged behaviors and instead substitutes behaviors they are learning from the village children. What does this indicate about their ability to adapt, as opposed to their parents’ ability?

Essay Topic 2

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?

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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