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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 instrument does the praise-singer pull out when singing the praises of Camara's father in chapter 2?

2. What announces that the harvest has begun?

3. How old is Camara in his earliest memories?

4. Who is always present when Camara's father works with gold?

5. What does Camara's grandmother always do as soon as he arrives?

Short Essay Questions

1. Camara's mother has special powers. How is that manifested in chapter 5? What is her association to a horse?

2. Who is Sidafa, and what do you know about him?

3. Describe the douga. What is its association to Camara's father's gold work?

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

5. What does the praise-singer who acts as a middle man between the woman with the gold and Camara's father do in the workshop?

6. How are Camara's father's apprentices treated, and how does Camara feel about this?

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

8. What is the result of years of abuse for the school children?

9. Camara remembers seeing a snake for the first time and being fascinated with its glittering eyes. What does he do to the snake, and what happens next?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the African culture, rituals are important. Describe the preparatory ritual of Camara's father before he does gold work. What does this ritual involve? Why is this ritual important? Compare this ritual to other rituals Camara's father performs throughout "The Dark Child."

Essay Topic 2

How does Camara get treated by his grandmother when he visits her in Tindican? Describe her affection and routines towards Camara. How does Camara react to this treatment? What does his grandmother's behavior tell you about their relationship? Compare/contrast Camara's grandmother's behavior towards him throughout the book. Does it change? How does it evolve?

Essay Topic 3

In chapter 3, the author introduces two characters of a different nature that are very closely related. Who are these characters? How do they differ? What do they have in common? What is their importance to Camara? What is their involvement in the community? What are their contrasts/comparisons to the previously mentioned characters?

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