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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. Which of the following characters is the only one allowed in the family meeting regarding Lucia's presence on the homestead?

2. Which of the following characters stays behind after the holidays to care for Ma'Shingayi?

3. Which of the following is NOT a topic Tambu's family discusses during their family meeting?

4. What surprises Tambu about the latrine at the homestead?

5. How does Babamukuru feel about Lucia staying on the homestead?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Nyaradzo?

2. Why do nuns from the Sacred Heart arrive at the mission school?

3. How do Nyasha's parents react to the dress she wears to the Christmas dance?

4. After Nyasha collapses and is brought to the doctor, what is her diagnosis?

5. How does Babamukuru propose to deal with the evil that has been following his family?

6. How are the dresses for Ma'Shingayi's wedding purchased?

7. What happens to Nyasha when she is late to the dinner table on the evening before Tambu leaves for the Sacred Heart?

8. How does Lucia rouse Ma'Shingayi from her depression?

9. How does Tambu react when Lucia announces that she is leaving the homestead for good?

10. How does the family react to the news that Babamukuru has found Lucia a job?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Tambu's family runs on a strict hierarchy. First, explain the hierarchy within Tambu's extended family -- who is on top? Who is on the bottom? Then explain how the hierarchy is expressed during the opening scenes in the novel, when Babamukuru first returns to the village. Then compare/contrast that to the way the hierarchy is expressed when Tambu returns to the village for the Christmas holidays. What has changed? What has stayed the same?

Essay Topic 2

Although many of the characters in the novel are black Africans, there are a few scenes in which the black characters interact with white characters. First, give examples of two scenes in which blacks and whites interact. Then describe the speech patterns of the white characters and compare/contrast that speech to the black characters. Based on their verbal interactions, how do the white characters regard the black characters?

Essay Topic 3

Back at the homestead, two interesting characters, Lucia and Takesure, are introduced for one scene only. First, describe Lucia, Takesure, and their relationship. Why do you think Dangarembga chose to introduce these characters so late in the novel? What do these two characters represent to Tambu when she returns to the village for the first time?

(see the answer keys)

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