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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. What is the name of the partner that Ralph takes on?

2. When the column of men rides into the British South Africa Company's camp, how many warriors does King Lobengula have?

3. As part of Bazo's reward for bringing the king Pemba's head, how many men will Bazo now command?

4. When Mr. Rhodes wants a theme for his new mansion, what does Jordan suggest that Rhodes use as his theme?

5. What does the name that Tanase and Bazo give their son mean?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Louise feel that there is no turning back after she leaves the king's camp without permission?

2. When Ralph first meets his Uncle Codrington, Ralph claims that he would have known his uncle anywhere. How?

3. When Mungo asks Louise why she does not leave him, how does Louise respond?

4. When Mungo receives the letter telling him that his wife has died, Mungo is free to finally marry Louise. What does Mungo do when he receives the letter?

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

6. When Catherine asks Salina if God gets mad if one prays for something just for oneself, and Salina says no, what does Catherine pray for?

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

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

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

10. As Ralph kisses Cathy goodbye as he prepares to leave the Codringtons, Ralph realizes two things. What are they?

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

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

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 897 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample