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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. Who is the first man the Smalls meet on their way to the chief?

2. What happened to Nora’s husband?

3. What does Bam think they should have brought to the chief?

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

5. Why is Bam suddenly rendered incapable of action in Section 10?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain how Bam now feels about his wife by Section 7.

2. Explain why Maureen drowns the kittens and what this implies about her?

3. What does it imply that the chief can speak in English, but doesn’t at first?

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

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

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

7. In Section 9, what does Martha dream for the future, and how does this differ from July’s dreams?

8. Where has Daniel gone in Section 10, and what does this mean for Maureen and her family?

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

10. Explain why the chief wants to learn to use a gun.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Although Maureen and Bam claim to be against the life of privileged whites, their children’s behaviors betray this concept. Choose one scene in which the behavior of the children leads one to believe they are, indeed, over privileged, and that they don’t share their parents’ views of equality for blacks.

Essay Topic 2

July plays up his power role in his home community, telling the Smalls he is listened to in his village and that he is powerful. However, Maureen accuses him of attempting to use them, and their belongings, to further his power. Why would July need the Smalls, or their things, to improve standing in his community, and what does this imply about July as a person?

Essay Topic 3

The car becomes a social status in the book rather quickly. Explain this social status. Where did it come from? What did it mean in their old life to the Small family? What did it represent in their escape? What does it represent to July? What does July’s use of it now represent to Maureen? To Bam? To the villagers?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 970 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample