View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Camara's father give Camara when he leaves home?

2. What is Camara's mother doing when she is approached about changing her mind about Camara studying abroad?

3. When does the ritual procession around town finish?

4. Who has arrived to celebrate Camara's departure from Kouroussa?

5. Where are the boys led when the ritual procession finishes?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the character of Camara's mother.

2. At the end of Camara's third year of school, he takes his proficiency examinations. Describe what happens.

3. What happens when Camara and his father go to talk to Camara's mother again, hoping to convince her to let Camara finish his studies in Paris?

4. How do the boys spend the rest of the night of their rite of passage after the roaring ceases, and how does it end?

5. What does Camara receive from his parents before he leaves home for Conakry?

6. Following their encounter with Konden Diara, the young boys face the real test of circumcision. How does the ceremony in Kouroussa proceed?

7. What happens in the special hut where the young men are gathered before the actual circumcision takes place?

8. What happens towards the middle of the night when the initial procession around town finishes?

9. What happens at the airport and on the plane to France?

10. Describe the character of Mamadou.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In chapter 7 Konden Diara is introduced. What or who is Konden Diara? What does he represent? Relate Konden Diara to the rite of passage. Describe his presence in detail, using supporting evidence from chapter 7. How does he influence the boys' feelings? What do they know about him? Does he show up during the ritual? How? When? What is the secret behind him?

Essay Topic 2

When Camara is a child at school, some incidents occur that finally lead to the resignation of the director. This whole episode proves the great influence Camara's father has in his community. Explore the connection between the resignation of the director and the role of Camara's father plays. Explain how the violence at school starts innocently, then reaches a height and finally stops all together. What was Camara's father's involvement? Support your answers with examples from the book.

Essay Topic 3

Describe Camara's transition from childhood to manhood. How does this manifest in the book? How does this transition affect his position in his family? Give supporting evidence from the chapter. How does this transition further the plot? What is the author trying to point out with this episode? How has the character of Camara changed? How does his transition affect his mother?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,498 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample