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

2. To whom does Ralph sell his company?

3. Juba calls four stars in the night sky, Manatassi's Sons. What does Robyn call the same constellation?

4. What is the name of the distant blue summit shaped like a crouching lion that Zouga uses as a marker?

5. When questioned about the status of the railway line, how far along does Ralph claim the railway is?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. When Tanase greets Bazo as he is returning to Gandang's kraal, she calls Bazo a name that makes Bazo uncomfortable. Why does the name make Bazo uncomfortable?

5. 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?

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

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

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

9. 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?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the second half of the novel, Janine is involved with two very different men. Compare and contrast the relationship Janine has with Craig and the relationship Janine has with Roland. Then, compare and contrast these two men. How do these relationships influence not only Janine, but also the other people that are in her life?

Essay Topic 2

Prophesies play a large role in the story as they are a motivating force behind the actions of a number of characters. Identify at least three prophesies that are discussed in the story, the circumstances surrounding each prophesy, and how the fulfillment of these prophesies affect the story's characters and plot.

Essay Topic 3

Throughout the story, there are several attempts characters that either die or are killed.

a. Identify three characters that do not survive until the end of the novel. Describe each character and the circumstances surrounding their deaths.

b. Compare and contrast the characters that do not survive. What does the author have to gain by killing these characters off? What, if anything, does the author lose?

c. How would the story have changed if one or more of your identified characters had survived?

(see the answer keys)

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