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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. How does Camara feel about the transition from childhood to manhood?

2. Why does Camara get hospitalized during his first year in Conakry?

3. When does the ritual procession around town finish?

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

5. How does Check feel about summer he and Kouyate are having while waiting for teaching jobs?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who or what is Konden Diara? What does Camara's father tell him to do?

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

3. What do the guests of the circumcision ceremony do to the teenage boys and how is this manifested to Camara? What is his reaction?

4. Camara does not like one of the behaviors his mother exhibits when he gets back home for vacation? Which behavior?

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

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

7. How do Camara's parents initially react to his news about going to Paris?

8. Describe the character of Camara's mother.

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

10. How has Camara's hut in Kouroussa changed when he comes home for vacation?

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

In chapter 9, Camara leaves home for Conakry. This is an important change in his life in relation to his environment, lifestyle and companions. Compare/contrast all these changes to his life before he turned fifteen.

Essay Topic 3

In chapter 3 Camara's school clothes are a theme worth discussing. Why? How do they look? Why does this cause friction for Camara. Why is this difference with his friends so important for the plot? Are these clothes an issue in Kouroussa? Why? Why not? Explore this theme with supporting evidence provided in this chapter.

(see the answer keys)

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