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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. Where is Michael's partner living according to Ranta?

2. Whose disappearance does the professor say he has no knowledge of?

3. Whose case does the assistant detective receive?

4. What is Florence reported for stealing?

5. From where did Ranta receive a grant to work on the farm?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Makutsi upset about typing, and what does Ramotswe offer her?

2. What does the orphan girl feel she must do for Matekoni?

3. How does the orphan girl spend the night while her brother sleeps?

4. What does Matekoni dream about the orphan boy?

5. Why is Ramotswe curious about the orphan children when she comes out of the post office?

6. What does Florence request from Paul, and how does he stop her?

7. What does Badule explain is his concern to Makutsi?

8. What does Matekoni discover about the two orphan children when he takes them to his garage?

9. Why does Ramotswe feel scared about visiting Ranta and how does Matekoni help her?

10. How does Florence reveal her anxiety about her employment through physical symptoms?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Smith uses more than one iteration on the theme of loss. Identify at least two themes about loss in the book. Then cite an example to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Both Matekoni and Ramotswe are important characters that influence the story line and the actions of other characters in the novel.

Part 1) Compare Matekoni to Ramotswe. How are these two characters similar and how are they different?

Part 2) What psychological purpose or insight does Matekoni offer? Elaborate on this.

Part 3) Matekoni offers to examine the past of the murder suspects. What is implied in this decision and how does it reveal that the murder motive is connected to the past of the murderer and not the present circumstances alone?

Essay Topic 3

Describe some of the settings for the novel. What is the overall setting? Be sure to include geography, time period and any pertinent popular culture events. Why did Smith choose to use these places in the book?

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This section contains 763 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample