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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 the name of the man who owns the general store?

2. Who does the store owner's daughter suggest Jamie talks to about finding diamonds?

3. What is the first city in South Africa Jamie visits?

4. What country is Blackwell from?

5. Who does Banda accuse Vander Merwe of raping?

Short Essay Questions

1. What secret does Kate hold from David during their marriage?

2. How does Jamie get Van der Merwe's diamond beach?

3. Why does think Jamie a raft will help them in their mission to steal from Van der Merwe's diamond beach in Namib Desert?

4. How does the prison camp affect Kate?

5. How does Jamie's life take a turn for the worse in this section?

6. How does Jamie use Margaret to get back at Van der Merwe?

7. Why does Banda dislike Van der Merwe?

8. Describe Jamie's marriage to Margaret.

9. What problems does Jamie suffer on his journey to find diamonds?

10. Describe Kate's character.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In what does the author suggest there is a attraction between James and Margaret? Why does James shy away from the attraction that he feels for Margaret? How does James' attitude for Margaret set the standards for the Blackwell's family's attitude?

Essay Topic 2

What does Sidney Sheldon say about the self-made man? What does it say about Sheldon's own views about life? How does the theme link to American society in the 1980s? How does he use the main characters to express his view?

Essay Topic 3

Away from the main character, examine the way the author uses the other characters in the book. When does he introduce and take them away from the story? What effect does it have on the story?

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This section contains 766 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample