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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. What does Kanty steal from Fakoli?

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

3. To what religion do Sundiata's ancestors belong?

4. Whose griot is Kouyaty?

5. Which of the following adjectives best describes Djata's physicality as a boy?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What causes Fakoli to turn against his uncle, Kanty?

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

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

5. What happens when Sundiata visits a spiritual river and prays there?

6. What is a griot?

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

8. How were Nana Triban and Sundiata reunited?

9. What is the reaction when Sogolon goes into labor?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When the story opens, Djeli Mamoudou Koutate is introduced to the readers as a local griot. Briefly describe the role griots play in African culture and then compare / contrast the role griots played during Sundiata's time with their role in the culture today. How does the use of a griot in Sundiata's tale affect the way it is expressed to the reader?

Essay Topic 2

Although Sundiata had many siblings, there were three who had the largest impact on his life - Nana Triban, Manding Bory, and Dankaran. Breifly describe each of Sundiata's three siblings, and explain how each sibling irrevocably altered Sundiata's life, either for better or worse.

Essay Topic 3

Soumaoro and Sundiata had an almost lifelong battle with one another, culminating in two memorable battles - one when Sundiata was a boy, and one when he was man. First, explain the battle Sundiata won against Soumaoro when he was a boy, and explain what effect that battle had on Sundiata as he grew. Then, explain the battle Sundiata found himself in with Soumaoro as an adult. How did the childhood battle prepare Sundiata for the rematch in his adulthood?

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