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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. Why did the warriors refuse to remove any more weeds?

2. How long did it take the workers to build their own huts?

3. What did the author refer to as "that sovereign remedy for almost everything"?

4. How many acres of land did Robin buy from Roger Stilbeck?

5. In what year was the Huxley family heading to Thika?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Briefly describe Elspeth's education in Africa.

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

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

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

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

7. Why did Elspeth get upset at the end of Crawford's story about the whydah birds?

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

9. What became of Tilly's initial attempt to "preserve an appearance of leisured elegance"?

10. How did Mrs. Palmer react to the condition of the man who was attacked and murdered on her property?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There is a high-spirited debate between Hereward and Robin about the difference between a bribe and a tip. The Europeans were taught to reject bribery, while bribery was essential to running many African colonies. What are the essential differences between bribes and tips? Is it simply a matter of timing? Were the Europeans making it difficult for themselves by refusing bribes? Could they have made their lives easier by adopting the local customs and accepting the use of bribes instead of tips?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Lettice Palmer appeared to change in personality following the death of Ian. Write an essay describing how his death affected her. Why did she tell Elspeth that Africa was a cruel place and that nobody cared? What did her future appear to be?

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