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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. Who does Robyn forbid her children to contact if Robyn's study goes awry?

3. What is the name of Robyn's only son?

4. According to the Matabele, what is the only true form of wealth?

5. What is the name of the estate where Zouga lives?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Gandang so sure that the old times will come again even as his most senior wife tries to convince him that the Matabele has to change as the world has changed?

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

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

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

5. Why does Wankie want a wagon?

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

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

8. Where is Wankie's country located?

9. As Jan Cheroot and Zouga debate how many days Zouga had originally marched east from the ruins, why do the two men disagree on what the actual number of days is?

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

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

In addition to revenge, jealousy is a central theme of this novel.

a. Identify three characters that are motivated by jealousy. Describe their reasons for being jealous. Is their jealousy founded? Why or why not?

b. How does jealousy affect these characters, their decisions, and their actions?

c. What is the outcome for these characters? Were they successful in their endeavors or would they have been more successful if they had not been jealous? Explain 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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