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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. Orleanna's journey in Africa come to what kind of end?

2. What does Nelson tell Ruth May to say instead of "snake?"

3. Why are there no fruits or vegetables in the garden?

4. Who warns people away from Nathan's church?

5. What does Orleanna sometimes see on her walks in the Congo?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Book 1, Rachel feels like the family is "in for it" in the Congo. Why do you think that Rachel feels this way?

2. What does Rachel think about the Congo on the day of the church picnic? How is she different than the people in the Congo?

3. Who is Nelson? Why does Anatole send Nelson to live with the Prices?

4. Why does Adah think that church should be called the "Church of the Lost Cause." What does Nathan think about this?

5. What does Orleanna remember about Africa in Book 1?

6. What does the family bring with them to the Congo? What troubles did they have in getting these things to the Congo? How did they solve the problem?

7. Who is Anatole? Why is Nathan angry with Anatole?

8. What does Nathan Price's opinion of women seem to be based on the events and narration in Book 1?

9. Why does Mama Tataba quit working for the Prices? Do you agree with her decision?

10. What happens to Ruth May in Book 2 as she is spying on the Jimmy Crow boys? What does she discover in the events that take place?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Trace the development and changes in Leah's relationship with her father throughout the novel. How does Leah feel about her father in the beginning of the novel? When do her feelings toward him start to change? How does she end up feeling about and relating to Nathan?

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast the religions, cultures, and other differences between the Congo and the United States. Which characters in the novel seem to bridge these differences? Which ones do not?

Essay Topic 3

Kingsolver explores the themes of freedom and captivity in the novel. Where can these themes be seen in the novel (family, village, country)? What are the prices that freedom and captivity come with in the novel for the Congo and various characters?

(see the answer keys)

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