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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 are the reapers for the rice harvest?

2. Why do parents send their children to Camara's father?

3. What is the second school Camara attends?

4. What kind of a man is Lansana?

5. What is the first school Camara attends?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Camara's grandmother's hut look like?

2. What do you know about Tindican? Where is it located, and how does Camara get there? What is special about the trip?

3. Why does Camara's father always do the gold work himself, never leaving it to the apprentices or other workers?

4. Where are Camara's parents' huts located, and what are the consequences of living in that location?

5. Describe the character of Lansana.

6. What does the second half of the reapers' days look like?

7. While he was growing up, what were the rules during meals in Camara's parents' household?

8. How did Camara's father know about this specific task of gold work, and how did he prepare himself to execute the work?

9. How is the special black snake involved with Camara's father's gold work?

10. What happens in Tindican during the rice season in December?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In chapter 3, Camara describes his grandmother's hut. How does this hut compare/contrast to his mother's hut? What picture does the author bring to mind about the living quarters of people in Guinea? Describe the general idea you get about the habitation of Camara's family and compare it to your own environment.

Essay Topic 2

The meals in Camara's household follow a certain, strict tradition. Describe the procedures of a meal and the performance of all the characters involved. Compare/contrast Camara's rules and routines to those of his siblings, the apprentices and his parents. What does this scene teach you about Camara's culture? How does this differ/relate to your dining culture and etiquette?

Essay Topic 3

The character of the praise-singer is mentioned in a few chapters of the "The Dark Child." What is a praise-singer? What is his role towards the community? When is he important? Explore his presence throughout the book; describe his tasks, influence and attitude. Compare/contrast his appearances in the different chapters.

(see the answer keys)

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