View a FREE sample

This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Camara's father's second wife hold up as a symbol for Camara during the circumcision ceremony?
(a) An exercise book and fountain pens.
(b) An exercise book and sharpies.
(c) A school uniform.
(d) Hoes.

2. What do the guests shower the boys with during the circumcision ceremony?
(a) Handkerchiefs.
(b) Water.
(c) Gifts.
(d) Flowers.

3. What has happened to Camara's school when he returns to it?
(a) It has been reorganized.
(b) It has been destroyed by a flood.
(c) It has become even less interesting.
(d) It has been burnt down.

4. When does the ritual procession around town finish?
(a) Late evening.
(b) Toward the middle of the night.
(c) In early morning.
(d) At noon.

5. When do the young boys face the real test of circumcision?
(a) In their second to last year of school.
(b) When they enter high school.
(c) In their final year of school.
(d) When they finish school.

6. Why does Camara's father give Camara a gift when he leaves home?
(a) To protect him against evil spirits.
(b) To wish him happiness.
(c) So he can play music.
(d) To call on the good spirits.

7. How long do Camara and Kouyate stay at Check's bedside before he dies?
(a) Three days.
(b) Two weeks.
(c) A week.
(d) Ten days.

8. What is hanging from the bombax trees and huts when the sun comes up after the Ceremony of the Lions?
(a) Black snakes.
(b) White flowers.
(c) Black threads.
(d) White threads.

9. Why does Camara still have one year of school until graduation when his friends have already finished?
(a) Because he is not intelligent.
(b) Because he is lazy.
(c) Because he lost a year of school.
(d) Because he has wasted a year doing nothing.

10. How long do Camara, Kouyate, and Check sometimes disappear together during holidays?
(a) Entire days.
(b) Several hours.
(c) Entire evenings.
(d) Entire afternoons.

11. When does Camara's rite of passage start?
(a) One evening before the feast of Ramadan.
(b) One evening when he's nine years old.
(c) During the feast of Ramadan.
(d) One evening after the feast of Ramadan.

12. What does Camara do when he sits at the bonfire on the night of the ritual?
(a) He sings.
(b) He jumps over the fire.
(c) He trembles.
(d) He smiles.

13. Who is Mamadou?
(a) Camara's nephew.
(b) Camara's brother.
(c) Camara's uncle.
(d) Camara's cousin.

14. How does Camara's mother light up his bed?
(a) With a flashlight.
(b) With an oil lamp.
(c) With a torch.
(d) With a match.

15. Who gathers the boys to take them away for their teenage ritual?
(a) The tom-tom player.
(b) The head of the village.
(c) The school teacher.
(d) The fathers of the boys.

Short Answer Questions

1. How do the other boys feel when Camara puts Marie on his bicycle?

2. Why does Camara's mother often get up in the middle of the night?

3. What is the long tunic that reaches to the heels but is split up the sides called?

4. How beautiful does Camara think Marie is?

5. How does Camara feel about his mother's behavior each time he comes back home to find she has made improvements?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 534 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample