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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. According to rumor, how many slaves had Mungo St. John transported from Africa to North America in a three month period?

2. What "treasures" are the tribal warriors in search of that caused them to leave their homeland?

3. How long does Zouga Ballantyne spend in England trying to raise funding for his next adventure?

4. When Zouga's sister turns Mungo in and the British navy boards Mungo's ship, how many slaves are on the ship as living cargo?

5. What is the name of Zouga's sister, who is responsible for turning Mungo over to the authorities because of his slave trading?

Short Essay Questions

1. What most surprises Zouga when he first arrives in Colesberg?

2. According to the descriptions given in the book, what are a monkey and a donkey?

3. When Jordan asks Zouga why they can't just keep the sculpture, how does Zouga respond to Jordan?

4. What first attracted Zouga's wife to Zouga?

5. After Mungo has been released from prison in Cape Town, Zouga loses contact with Mungo. How do they finally make contact with each other again?

6. As Zouga prepares to keep the rendezvous with the nameless man, Zouga only has his claims left to sell. Why is Zouga unwilling to sell his claims?

7. Why do the Matabele typically keep their treasures buried under the floor in their huts?

8. After Zouga nurses his boys back to health, he becomes increasingly anxious to begin working on his claims. Why?

9. How does the leader of the tribal warriors respond when Zouga asks them why they are seeking their "treasure"?

10. Why does Zouga's wife insist on accompanying him to Colesberg as the story begins?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Describe how the character of Zouga Ballantyne changes as the story progresses. Be sure to include your assessment of Zouga's character when he is first introduced in the story, when buries his wife, when he loses his diamond claims in a bet, when he leads soldiers against Lobengula, and when he and Louise begin to build their house. Use examples from the story to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Zouga Ballantyne seems to be a man who is supremely confident in his ability to come out on top. Identify at least three instances from the story that highlight his confidence. How is Zouga helped by his confidence? How is Zouga hurt by his confidence? Provide examples of each.

(see the answer keys)

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