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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. When Cathy's sisters finally arrive at the camp, who does Victoria greet first?

2. When Cathy goes to the telegraph office to see if a telegraph from Ralph has come, what does she find?

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

4. When Ralph returns to the mines to check on Harry's work, how many men had Bazo originally promised to work at the mine?

5. What is the name of Gandang's most senior wife?

Short Essay Questions

1. As the Matabele men prepare to carry out their killings, what is Tanase's primary job?

2. To Ralph and Zouga, what is the worst kind of vermin found on the African plains and why?

3. 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?

4. How does Bazo respond when Ralph offers him work?

5. 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?

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

7. According to Hammond, what is the first objective in course of action that has been decided on?

8. Why does Wankie want a wagon?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast Ralph Ballantyne and Craig Mellow - the survivors of each section of the novel.

a. How are the two characters similar in terms of their professional lives? How are they different?

b. How are the two characters similar in their personality characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses? How are they different?

c. If these two characters were not separated by almost one hundred years, how would you expect them to interact with each other? Would they get along? Be friends? Be enemies? Be supportive?

d. Each of these men loses the woman they love, were the men similarly affected or not? Explain your answers and your reasoning.

Essay Topic 2

One of the main themes is this novel is revenge.

a. Identify three characters that use revenge as their primary motivation. For each character, describe an instance in which the character acted out of a need for revenge.

b. Why do these characters seek revenge?

c. What is the outcome for these characters? Were they successful in their endeavors or would they have been more successful if they had gone after revenge? Explain your answer.

Essay Topic 3

The character of Samson Kumalo goes from a likable character to a murderous thug and is somewhat redeemed in the end. Identify the events that caused these transitions. What other choices, if any, did Samson have when confronted with these transitional situations? Was Samson's transition to his Tungata persona avoidable? Was Samson's transition to his Tungata persona his only way to survive? Provide examples from the story that support your reasoning.

(see the answer keys)

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