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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 tells Robyn of Clinton's death?

2. Where are Mungo and Louise the first time she rebels against him during one of Mungo's schemes?

3. When Lobengula's men hear of the woman Zouga's soldier makes sport of, who tries to be the voice of reason and settle Lobengula's men down?

4. When Gandang sees "the stars are shining on the hills" as was prophesied to Lobengula, what is actually making the light on the hills?

5. When Zouga reaches the cavern beyond the village where the Umlimo dwell, who does Zouga rescue from two of his soldiers?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is the girl who first greets Ralph at the Codringtons not surprised that Ralph does not know that his aunt has children?

2. When Louise leaves the king's camp, she has a plan in place. What is Louise's plan?

3. When Louise hears her mule scream in terror, she climbs a sycamore tree. Why?

4. When she finally climbs out of the sycamore tree, why does Louise leave all of her supplies, except the rifle, behind?

5. Describe the actions of the advance team's leader as they are surrounded and being killed one by one.

6. What are the instructions that Mungo gives to his advance team just before they cross the swollen river?

7. Why does Jameson send a party of mounted men to the Umlimo?

8. When Bazo sends the warriors away, why does Bazo injure Ralph instead of letting him go unharmed?

9. Other than wanting to steal the king's diamonds, what other reason does Mungo have for staying at the Codringtons?

10. Explain the upshot of the note Jameson pens to London, and Jameson's recommendation.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In many ways, the novel is a series of contrasts designed to heighten the reader's awareness and draw the reader deeper into the story and the intricacies of each of the story's characters. Identify at least three contrasts that are used in the novel. Describe these contrasts and determine how they impact the story's plot, as well as the reader's emotional involvement in the characters' lives. If these identified contrasts were not included in the story, what impact would their absence have on the storyline, the characters' development, and the readers' involvement?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Compare and contrast Zouga Ballantyne and Mungo St. John.

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

b. Compare the role that justice plays in each of their lives. How is each character affected by the concept of justice - both positively and negatively?

(see the answer keys)

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