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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 can Van der Merwe no longer attend now that his daughter is pregnant?

2. What kind animal dies on Jamie's journey to find diamonds?

3. Why does Banda say he took Kate?

4. Who does Banda accuse Vander Merwe of raping?

5. Where does Jamie meet the man who beats him up?

Short Essay Questions

1. What problems do Banda and Jamie have with their raft?

2. Describe Jamie's marriage to Margaret.

3. What proposition does Van der Merwe make Jamie over dinner?

4. How does Jamie think they can get across the minefield?

5. How does the prison camp affect Kate?

6. Describe Kate's character.

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

8. Why does Van der Merwe refuse to give Jamie what he expected?

9. How does David find new work in this section?

10. Why does Van der Merwe make an exception of Jamie when he starts taking his daughter out into town?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does James develop his business? How is Jame's drive for success passed on to his family members?

Essay Topic 2

What does Van der Merwe's character say about South Africa during the late 19th century in South Africa? How does James ruin Van der Merwe's life? How would James's life have developed if Van der Merwe had treated him fairly?

Essay Topic 3

Identify the main themes of the story. In what way are these themes relevant to the period? How does the author use character and setting to express these themes?

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This section contains 644 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample