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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 tree do the burghers plant around the Dutch colony to protect their cattle and keep out the rest of Africa?

2. Which Van Doorn first becomes a Trekboer?

3. What is a Trekboer?

4. Who establishes a fort at Malacca in 1511?

5. Which tribal leader causes as much death, devastation, and forced migration as Shaka?

Short Essay Questions

1. What ability is valued by the San in their men, and what ability does Gao have instead?

2. Explain the trade established between the city of Zimbabwe and the Arabians.

3. How is high school student Petra affected by racism in Chapter Thirteen?

4. What is Willem Van Doorn's relationship with Ateh the slave girl?

5. What role does rugby play in Detleef's life?

6. What roles do women have in the San tribe?

7. Why are white miners starving in Chapter Twelve?

8. Explain how Tjaart Van Doorn goes from having everything at the beginning of Chapter Eight to losing everything.

9. Who are the Venloo Commandos, and how do they fare in their skirmishes with the English?

10. Describe how Nxumalo fares in the city of Zimbabwe.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Some marriages in The Covenant are arranged, some are marriages of convenience, and some are nontraditional interracial relationships. Discuss any three of the following relationships: Willem Van Doorn, Ateh/Deborah, and Katje; Hilary Saltwood, Vera, and Emma; Lodevicus Van Doorn, Rebecca, and Wilhelmina Heimstra; and Paul de Prè, Petronella Van Doorn, and Annatjie Van Doorn. How does the historical era of each union affect the relationship? What do you think the author is saying about the availability of single European women and life on the South African frontier through these marriages?

Essay Topic 2

The Covenant contains a number of instances of irony. Cite at least three examples of irony in the novel, and explain how it is used to indicate events to come.

Essay Topic 3

What character flaws and strengths do you see in the Saltwood family through the generations depicted in The Covenant? Select at least three characters from the Saltwood family, each from a different generation, and discuss how their flaws and strengths help or hinder the characters in dealing with the conflicts in their relationships and in their historical eras. Cite examples from the text to support your arguments.

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