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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 Nxumalo gains the king's attention, what new job is he given?

2. Who writes the book entitled "The Truth About South Africa", accusing the Dutch Boers of abusing and murdering the native Africans?

3. Why does Nxumalo leave his tribe, the Sixolobo?

4. What does Gumsto suggest to help ensure the success of the San tribe's hunt when they are starving, in Chapter One?

5. How many rhinoceros horns does the Old Seeker tell chief Ngalo he needs?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does racism affect Heather Botha in Chapter Thirteen?

2. What mistake do the English make in their care of the prisoners they take in their battles with the Dutch?

3. How does Andries Pretorius help the Trekboers get revenge on the Zulu warrior Dingane?

4. Who is Pik Prinsloo, and what exciting find does he make in 1978?

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

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

7. How does Paulus De Groot influence Detlev Van Doorn's education?

8. How does Richard Saltwood earn the nickname Cupid?

9. In Chapter Ten, to what does Micah Nxumalo see the battle between the English and the Dutch as a forerunner?

10. Why is Prince Henry of Portugal determined to sail around the cape of Africa in 1453?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Show how the relationship of miners and the mining companies for which they work changes over the years in The Covenant. Do black miners get the same wages as white miners? Cite examples from the text to support your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

The Covenant by James Michener begins with the San tribe in the rugged bush country during the earliest days of South African history. What do you think Michener is saying about life in South Africa prior to the advent of European settlers in his depiction of the San tribe? How does the land and the climate affect life for the tribe? What is the tribe's main concern? Cite examples from the text to support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the treatment of women in The Covenant. Do the men in the novel treat the women as equals or do they try to dominate them? How does the treatment of women in the novel compare to the treatment of black South Africans? Do the African tribes treat women any differently than the Europeans? Does the treatment of women change from one generation to another? Cite at least three examples from the text to support your conclusions.

(see the answer keys)

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