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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 was the name of the Irishwoman known for her fearlessness?

2. What sentimental possession of Mrs. Nimmo's was damaged during the party?

3. What did Tilly knit for Randall?

4. In the folktale, what resulted from the chameleon's failure to deliver God's message?

5. How long did Sammy stay at Fort Hall?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did Lettice Palmer find most disturbing about Africa and what was she most concerned about for herself and fellow Europeans?

2. Briefly describe Elspeth's education in Africa.

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

4. What was Lettice Palmer's first reaction to the health conditions in Africa?

5. Describe the personality of Pioneer Mary.

6. Why was Robin having a difficult time with the oxen?

7. Why were the natives so fascinated by the lamp, but did not care about the gramophone?

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

9. How did Huxley describe the Kikuyu attitude toward theft?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Elspeth, despite her European heritage, sincerely believed that a charm would protect her duiker, Twinkle. In what ways did her belief illustrate how her upbringing was becoming essentially African? Why was she more open to the notion of protective charms than the adults around her? Was she doing a better job adapting to local traditions and belief-systems?

Essay Topic 2

A discussion about the European versus African concept of the passage of time prompted Lettice Palmer to suggest that perhaps the Europeans were wrong to be attempting to change the African culture. This is one of the only times in the book that a European suggests that the Africans' culture should be left alone. Did the other Europeans share Lettice's view? Did they seem to think about the issue at all or were they more concerned about making their way in Africa, regardless of what happened to the natives? Did the Europeans acknowledge that a complex culture existed around them?

Essay Topic 3

Njombo was accused by Sammy of causing the death of his third wife and the maiming of his son. In response, Sammy places a curse on Njombo, which very nearly kills him. Write an essay explaining why a firm belief in the power of curses could actually lead to someone's death. Would Njombo had survived if the chief had not arranged for the curse to be lifted? How powerful is the human mind when it comes to health? Why were the Europeans determined to save Njombo by focusing on the curse rather than using Western medicine?

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