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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 does Jackie Smolders carry with him on his trip to Wallah?

2. Why does Mr.Newby say he has stopped giving Jimmie and Gilda advances on groceries?

3. Who do the Nevilles encourage Jimmie to marry for the sake of his future children?

4. When Jimmie disappeared from the camp in 1891, what did his mother think happened to him?

5. What does Jimmie soon believe is the best way to bettering his life?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who are the Nevilles and what is their role in Jimmie's life?

2. Who do the Nevilles suggest Jimmie should attempt to marry, and why?

3. In Jimmie's case, what does it mean to be a "half-breed?"

4. Toward the end of Chapter 2, what has Jimmie decided is the key to bettering his life?

5. What does Miss Graf do to help Gilda and how does Gilda react?

6. How was Jimmie punished for Healy's dissatisfaction with the fence?

7. Why does Jimmie think that it will be good to work for the police?

8. How is Gilda doing since the birth?

9. What are we told happened in 1891?

10. Why does Jimmie quit his job with the police?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Research the plight of the mixed-race individuals in Australia around the time that the story is set. Write a report of your research and how it correlates to the portrayal of Jimmie, who is mixed-race.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the depiction of the white characters in the novel. Were they all racist towards Aborigines? Why did the author choose to depict them the way he did?

Essay Topic 3

The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith is based on a real-life account of Jimmy Governor, who went on a killing spree after facing relentless racial discrimination. In your opinion, is the novel unbiased, or does the author write in favor of either Jimmie or the white community? Provide evidence from the novel to support your opinion.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 780 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample