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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. Which of the following adjectives best describes Kanty?

2. In which African country does this story take place?

3. From which direction does the hunter promise a "great light" will come from?

4. How old does Sassouma claim Dankaran was when he first began to collect baobob?

5. How does Kanty treat men who disagree with him?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What happens when the warriors meet a starving, old woman in Do?

4. How does the reader receive the information about Sundiata's friends and their lives after the fall of Mali?

5. Why do Sundiata and Soumaoro continue to battle with each other even after the initial fight that wiped out Soumaoro's men?

6. What happens when Sundiata throws a spear at Soumaoro's chest in battle?

7. What one complaint does the griot have at the close of the book about modern day audiences in response to Sundiata's story?

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

9. How have Sundiata's childhood friends sought to help him in his return to Mali?

10. How do the people of Mali react to the news that Sundiata has arrived to return the land to them?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"Sundiata" is often heralded as changing the face of heroism. Describe what it means to be a hero in Sundiata's day, and what Sundiata did to fulfill this role for his people. Finally, explain whether or not you agree with the assertion that Sundiata is not a typical hero, and why.

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

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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