View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How many children does Marija plan to have?

2. According to Sissie, what do the "Been-tos" lie about?

3. What color is Marija's hair?

4. What does Sissie want to ask somebody?

5. According to Sissie, what is necessary to know that someone is telling the truth?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who does Marija say might one day visit Africa?

2. Where does Sissie stay in London?

3. What is the name of the relative of Sissie's West African friend whom she meets?

4. What does Marija give Sissie before she departs?

5. What meat does Marija plan to cook for Sissie on the day she is scheduled to depart?

6. How does Sissie describe East Berlin?

7. Who tells Sissie that going out late is against the rules?

8. What beverage does Marija offer Sissie in Part 2: "The Plums?"

9. What does Part 2: "The Plums" say about education?

10. What does the German-born American professor tell Sissie that Germany, Ireland, and Africa have in common?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay explaining why SIssie is uncomfortable in the west. What people, things, customs, or attitudes make Sissie insistent on going back to Africa? You may also evaluate Sissie's opinion from your own point of view. Use evidence from the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Analyze how the stereotypical African family unit (especially the African mother) is portrayed within the novel. Of whose mother does the reader see glimpses in the narration? What are this woman's family's circumstances? Use evidence from the text to support your observations.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay analyzing the foreign language terms, including any racial slurs, used within the novel. In your essay, consider why the author might use foreign languages within the text, and whether foreign languages are used to a similar effect or different effects in various sections. In your essay, cite specific examples of terms used in making your argument.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 505 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample