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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 Nhamo feel about the walk from school to his home?

2. Whom does Maiguru blame for Tambu's inability to eat her meal properly?

3. With whom does Tambu share a bedroom at Babamukuru's home?

4. Who are segregated at the swimming holes around Tambu's home?

5. Which of the following adjectives does Babamukuru use to describe school-age children?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Tambu feel about Maiguru and her relationship to education?

2. Why does Tambu have a difficult time bonding with Nyasha?

3. How is the ice between Tambu and Nyasha finally broken, and what do they discuss during their first conversation?

4. During Tambu's first dinner with the family, how does Babamukuru mandate when, and what, his family will eat?

5. What hopes does Tambu have for her relationship with Nyasha once she arrives at Babamukuru's home?

6. What do the village children eat at the dinner party honoring Babamukuru?

7. How does Tambu react to her discovery in the cornfield?

8. What emotions does Tambu feel when she enters her uncle, Babamukuru's, home for the first time?

9. How did Nhamo react to Babamukuru's home and how did his reaction affect Tambu when she arrives at the home?

10. What happens when Tambu is in town with Mr. Matimbo?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"Nervous Conditions" is the title of this novel. First, explain if you think it is a fitting title. Why or why not? Then, list at least three characters who exhibit nervous conditions throughout the novel. How does their nervousness manifest? How do their conditions affect their lives?

Essay Topic 2

Jeremiah, Tambu's father, is an interesting male character. First, physically describe Jeremiah and compare/contrast his physicality to his brother, Babamukuru. Then explain how Jeremiah makes a living in the village and why he is so dependent on his brother.

Essay Topic 3

At the start of the story, Dangarembga writes that this will be a story of "entrapment, escape, and rebellion." Do you agree with this assessment of the story? Why or why not? Give two examples of scenes that support Dangarembga's claim. Then give two examples of scenes that counteract this claim.

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