View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. From what tribe are the men that Zouga comes upon as he is searching for men to work his diamond claims?

2. What does the Matabele warrior use to pry the diamond in the pit loose?

3. What does the author liken the digging frenzy to?

4. Who proposes Mungo St. John for membership into the Kimberley Club?

5. When Zouga loads the sculpture onto the cart to sell it, how old is Jordan?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. At Jordan's luncheon, who offends Zouga simply by being there, and why is Zouga offended?

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

7. Describe what married life was like for Zouga's wife.

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

9. How are edicts from the Digger's Committee enforced?

10. While he is down in the pit, why does the Matabele warrior lean into the mud wall - the action that enables him to find the large diamond?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One of the main themes in this novel involves greed.

a. Identify three characters that are motivated by greed to further their interests.

b. How does greed affect these characters, their decisions, and their actions?

c. What is the outcome for these characters? Were they successful in their endeavors, or would they have been more successful if they had not been so greedy? Explain your answer.

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 817 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample