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. What physical deformity does the hunter tell the king his future wife should have?

2. When Sundiata visits Ghana, what does he realize about the people who live there?

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

4. How long does Sundiata wander in the desert before settling in Djedeba?

5. Who do the Malian people believe can become king one day?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is a griot?

2. What demands does Kanty make of the African nations, and what is Dankaran's response?

3. How does Sundiata honor his memory of the old buffalo woman?

4. How do the Malian merchants greet Sundiata, and what news do they bring from home?

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

6. What happens when Sundiata outwits Konkon, the king of Djedeba?

7. How does Sundiata treat the people of Sosso when he arrives there?

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

9. What happens when the king loses hope that Djata will grow to be a great king?

10. How were Nana Triban and Sundiata reunited?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The role of fate plays a large part in Sundiata's rise to power. Explain why the people believed it was Sundiata's fate to rule Mali, and briefly explain three obstacles that stood in the way of Sundiata reaching the fate that had been laid out for him.

Essay Topic 2

"Sundiata" is expressed to the reader through the use of oral history and translation. Briefly explain why each of these methods--oral history and translation--was necessarily in the completion of this tale. Then, explain what facts were most important in the oral histories of the time, and how you saw those themes expressed in "Sundiata."

Essay Topic 3

Jealousy is one of the most focused on themes of "Sundiata" and there are many lessons to learn on this topic. Briefly describe two characters in the book who are jealous of Sundiata. How do these characters express their jealousy? At the end of the book, how are the jealous actions of these two characters rewarded or punished? What lesson is there to be learned about jealousy through the characters of the book?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 857 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample