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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 did Randall Smith spend his Sundays?

2. How long was the journey from Nairobi to Thika?

3. Who accompanied Ian Crawfurd when he arrived at Thika?

4. What are siafu?

5. What was Robin's primary goal in his travels?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Robin and Kupanya differ in their approach to negotiating the terms of a workers' contract?

2. What were the Huxley's first impressions upon seeing the land that they had bought?

3. What kind of person did Ian Crawford appear to be?

4. How did the differences between Mrs. Nimmo and Tilly come through in their first meeting?

5. What happened to Njombo after he killed the man on the Palmer's property?

6. What did the Masai consider the greatest glory of mankind?

7. How did Mrs. Nimmo react to the wild New Year's party?

8. Describe the relationship the Kikuyu had with their surroundings.

9. Describe the personality of Pioneer Mary.

10. How did Elsepth Huxley describe the smell of Africa?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The European settlers met in the book all had different reasons for coming to Africa--some simply for adventure, some to make a fortune, some seemingly to escape a bad situation. What was the societal impact to the Africans of the Europeans' settlement? Did the settlers have a different impact on the local culture depending on their different reasons for being there? Or did their mere presence, regardless of motivation, have a profound effect on the locals? Is seeking adventure or fortune a legitimate reason to colonize another culture?

Essay Topic 2

Early in the book, Robin Huxley had a confrontation with the locals over the way he wanted his family's house built. Why was Robin so determined to recreate an English-style house in Africa? Why were the Africans so opposed to some of Robin's ideas? In what ways would adopting the local customs make it easier to settle in to a new area? Is it always advisable, or even possible, to recreate a certain lifestyle in a foreign land? What are the benefits of adopting the local traditions? Do you think Robin and the other Europeans were concerned about losing their European identity if they adopted too many local customs?

Essay Topic 3

Elspeth Huxley described in detail the process of leaving Thika to return to England during the war. Write an essay describing the attitudes displayed by both the natives and the European settlers as the war descended. How were people on each side of the cultural divide affected by their experiences? How did the natives view the Huxley family?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 988 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample