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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. At Khami Mission, who tells the girls that hundreds of soldiers are riding past the church?

2. To whom does Ralph sell his company?

3. What animal comes to represent the beautiful and wild land between the Limpopo and the Zambezi rivers for Ralph Ballantyne?

4. How long does Ralph predict that it will take Cecil Rhodes to leave their camp after Cathy's sisters arrive?

5. As Juba and Bazo talk about killing the white men, who does Bazo say that he will kill himself?

Short Essay Questions

1. When the lion pounces on Jan Cheroot and his horse, how does Jan Cheroot survive?

2. Where is Wankie's country located?

3. Even though Gandang does not like Robyn, he does respect her. Why?

4. How did Ralph originally find the ancients ruins the first time he had ever visited the area?

5. Ralph is told a story about why there is smoke rising. The story is a lie. What is the real reason for the smoke?

6. What will the role of the mujiba be in the great storm?

7. How does Robyn explain to Juba her reasons for studying her chosen disease?

8. When Ralph first sees the man who steps suddenly from the forest, what reason is Ralph given for the smoke he sees?

9. Before Ralph departs, why does he warn Frank Rhodes not to send any unnecessary telegrams?

10. While Ralph and Wankie are talking Bazo comes up behind Ralph and accuses Ralph of lying to him. What reason did Ralph give Bazo for their trek?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast Craig Mellow and Samson Kumalo.

a. How are the two characters similar? How are they different?

b. Compare the role that justice plays in each of their lives. How is each character affected by the concept of justice - both positively and negatively?

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast how the character of Craig Mellow changes as the story progresses. Be sure to include your assessment of Craig's character when he is first introduced in the story, when Janine marries Roland, when Roland asks for his help clearing the minefield, when he loses his leg, and when he and Janine finally set sail. Use examples from the story to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Wilbur Smith uses this story to examine revenge and the disastrous and horrific consequences that can result when one is driven by revenge. Examine the author's beliefs through his storytelling. Why would the author choose this story to overlay his demonstration of the consequences realized when revenge is a primary motive? What did you learn from the author's discussion on revenge? What other avenues, if any, could the author have used to express his beliefs? Would those avenues have been as effective as the story? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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