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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. How does Jordan obtain the book that he keeps hidden under his pillow?

2. What is the name of the book that Jordan keeps hidden under his pillow?

3. Who witnesses the entire physical fight that occurs between Ralph and Zouga?

4. How many groups does Zouga divide the tribal warriors into for their "competition"?

5. When Zouga is awakened late at night, who is the visitor that appears in Zouga's bedroom?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Ralph challenge his father when Zouga comes off the veranda brandishing his whip?

2. How does Zouga react when the nameless man offers him an equal partnership in his scheme to gain profits by salting Zouga's claim?

3. When the tribal warriors first reach the diamond claim, what does Jan Cheroot have to show them?

4. What is Jordan's reaction when he learns about sex from Jan Cheroot after listening to Jan and Ralph talk?

5. As the two men fight, Ralph is filled with hatred for his father. What is the source of Ralph's hatred?

6. Describe what Ralph looks like after he has been to see Dr. Jameson after the fight with Zouga.

7. What was Mungo St. John's reaction when the British navy tried to board his ship?

8. As Zouga prepares to keep the rendezvous with the nameless man, why is Zouga desperate?

9. Describe Hendrick Naaiman.

10. As Zouga approaches the location where he is meeting the nameless man, Zouga feels fear. Why does Zouga enjoy feeling fear?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Identify the people and/or groups of people trying to gain control of the diamond claims. Compare and contrast these people and/or groups in terms of overall number, organization, overall motivation, ability to plan, and success achieved. How are they similar? How are they different? Did any one person or group actually end up controlling the claims? Why or why not? Support your answer with examples from the story.

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast Cecil Rhodes and King Lobengula.

a. How are the two characters similar? How are they different?

b. How is each character affected by their perceived self-worth - both positively and negatively?

Essay Topic 3

Wilbur Smith uses this story to examine the role that loyalty plays in our personal history, as well as in our daily lives. Examine the author's beliefs through his storytelling. Why would the author choose this story to overlay his demonstration of the consequences realized when loyalty are distorted or hidden? What did you learn from the author's discussion on loyalty? What other avenues, if any, could the author have used to express his beliefs? Would those avenues have been as effective as the story? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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