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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is the weather like when Sogolon first goes into labor?
(a) It is sunny.
(b) It is raining.
(c) It is hailing.
(d) It is snowing.

2. How does the king feel when Manding Bory is born?
(a) He is frustrated.
(b) He is excited.
(c) He is apathetic.
(d) He is confused.

3. Who falls ill, causing king Soumaba to relocate the family to a river country?
(a) Sundiata.
(b) Manding Bory.
(c) Fassyky.
(d) Sogolon.

4. How many wives does Sundiata's father have?
(a) Four.
(b) Three.
(c) Two.
(d) Five.

5. Why do ancient African kings want griots?
(a) Because griots were thought to be magical.
(b) To be able to pour out their deepest secrets.
(c) To have constant companionship.
(d) To keep their memories alive.

Short Answer Questions

1. What animal does the hunter who approaches Maghan Kon Fatta offer to him?

2. What is the role of a griot?

3. Which of the following adjectives best describes Sogolon?

4. How does Fakoli react to Kanty's theft?

5. In Kouyaty's story, of what material does Kanty sew his clothing?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Sundiata strip Soumaoro of his magical powers?

2. Who is Sassouma, and how does she react to Sogolon?

3. Why does Sassouma meet with the sorcerers in the village after Sogolon's arrival?

4. How well did Sundiata's ancestors know the land they were raised in, and how can you tell?

5. Why do the people of Mali flood to Soumaoro's old land, and what do they steal from his store houses?

6. How does Sundiata collect the army that fights with him in Tabon?

7. How are the Malian merchants discovered in Mema, and what is the reaction to their arrival?

8. Why are the griots considered "vessels of the past?"

9. How does Djata learn to walk?

10. How does the king respond to the hunter who makes him an offering?

(see the answer keys)

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