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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 is NOT something Ma'Shingayi accuses Maiguru of during the family meeting?

2. During what month of the year does Tambu return home to the village for the first time?

3. Which of the following is the same about Ma'Shingayi and Lucia at the time when Tambu comes to visit?

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

5. Which of the following topics does Nyasha frequently discuss in her letters to Tambu?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the process of being "screened out" at school and why does Nyasha fear it?

2. What does Nyaradzo believe to be special about her brothers?

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

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

5. During the family meeting, what does Lucia say about Jeremiah and his relationship with Ma'Shingayi?

6. How does Ma'Shingayi feel about Tambu winning the scholarship?

7. What is Maiguru responsible for during the trip to the homestead, and how does she react to this responsibility?

8. How does Tambu feel about her parents' impending wedding ceremony?

9. Who is Nyaradzo?

10. How does Babamukuru feel about Lucia's presence on the homestead?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Tambu has spent her entire life fighting to be able to attend school. First, explain why Tambu was taken out of school in the first place. Then explain how Tambu used seeds to put herself through school and how her brother attempted to sabotage her plans. Finally, explain why Nhamo would have wanted Tambu to fail in her education.

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the novel, Tambu struggles with whether she wants to remember or forget her family in the village. First, give examples of two scenes in which Tambu expresses her struggle with memory. Then describe why it would be beneficial for Tambu to remember her family back home, and why it would be beneficial for her to forget where she came from.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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