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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 present does Victoria give to Cecil Rhodes from her mother?

2. As he's trying to get out of going down in the mine shaft, what does Jan Cheroot claim to be?

3. Who does Bazo assign to kill Zouga and Louise?

4. What is the Matabele name given to Ralph?

5. In Tanase's vision, how does Bazo die?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where is Wankie's country located?

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

3. When Ralph, Jan Cheroot, and Zouga are searching the land between the Limpopo and the Zambezi rivers, why is Ralph bored?

4. Why does Tanase not want to go to Ralph's camp for the night so that Ralph and Bazo can catch up?

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

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

7. What does Ralph think to himself when Zouga's rifle shot does not find its target, but goes low and left?

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

9. How does Bazo reply when the indunas ask when the "great storm" will begin?

10. Why does Robyn eventually publish "Trooper Hackett of Matabeleland" with her own money?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In many ways, the novel is a series of contrasts designed to heighten the reader's awareness and draw the reader deeper into the story and the intricacies of each of the story's characters. Identify at least three contrasts that are used in the novel. Describe these contrasts and determine how they impact the story's plot, as well as the reader's emotional involvement in the characters' lives. If these identified contrasts were not included in the story, what impact would their absence have on the storyline, the characters' development, and the readers' involvement?

Essay Topic 2

There is no doubt that Ralph is greatly affected by the murder of his wife and infant daughter. In addition, Ralph's son is missing. Discuss how Cathy's murder affects not only Ralph's worldview, but his determination to find and punish Cathy's murderers. How does Cathy's murder affect Ralph's mental state, his ability to reason, his ability to trust, and his ability to hope? How does Cathy's murder affect Ralph in his role as father once he finds Jonathon?

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the characteristics, roles, loyalties, and agendas of the following people in the story: Bazo, Ralph Ballantyne, Robyn St. John, Cecil Rhodes, and Jordan Ballantyne.

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