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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 does the narrator have quasi-romantic interludes with while traveling to Victoria Falls?

2. What physical change in the narrator causes her to worry about physical stress and poor nutrition while in the bush?

3. How does the narrator travel the second leg, the last 100 miles, of her trip to Tsau?

4. What is the narrator's most unusual quality?

5. How long was the narrator in the African bush studying for her thesis?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the reader learn about the narrator in Chapter 1? What characteristics does she display?

2. What does the narrator take with her to Tsau? Why is this significant?

3. How does the narrator prepare to leave for Tsau? How does she plan to travel? What risks is she taking?

4. Who is Martin Wade and what relationship does the narrator share with him?

5. There are disagreements as to whether or not Nelson and the narrator should be a couple. Describe the feelings on this subject in the village.

6. How does the author depict the relationship between Grace and Nelson Denoon? How does the reader know this?

7. What does "intellectual love" mean in the book?

8. What does the narrator notice as she approaches Tsau? What memories does it evoke?

9. What does Dineo question about the narrator's cover story after the narrator has been in Tsau for a few days and why?

10. What does the narrator pretend to be when she enters Tsau? Why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the Mother Committee and the powerful women involved. This experimental village is meant to give women rights and powers that they don't have in ordinary society. However, based on the characters you've just described, what are the differences and similarities between men in ordinary society at that time and the women in Tsau?

Essay Topic 2

Describe what happened to Nelson in the desert. What kind of transformation has he experienced? Is this common among survivors? What does his transformation mean for his future with the narrator and the future of Tsau?

Essay Topic 3

The narrator does not understand Nelson's calm nature when he is accused of and jailed for Hector's murder. However, he does remain extremely calm, saying he is content to let the village he created deal with him. Explain the dynamic that is occurring in this situation between Nelson and the villagers and Nelson and the narrator.

(see the answer keys)

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