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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 was Tilly upset about Roger Stilbeck's letter?

2. What are siafu?

3. What was Sammy's ethnic mix?

4. What was Elspeth eating in a "funny" way at Mrs. Nimmo's the day after the party?

5. What was Elspeth awakened by after going to bed during the party?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Elspeth Huxley at one point said that the natives never stole from one another, but did not seem to have any qualms about stealing from the Europeans. Why was this the case? What forces prompted the natives to avoid stealing from one another? How did they seem to view the Europeans and why would they be willing to steal from them? Did they view the Europeans as neighbors and fellow villagers or as something else entirely?

Essay Topic 3

Lettice Palmer expressed fear about the potential for the Europeans' work in Africa to disappear without a trace, much as the ancient Africans' work had disappeared. Was it fair for the Europeans to say that the Africans had failed to put a permanent mark on the land? Are city and temple ruins necessary to prove that a great culture once existed? Why would the ancient African cultures failed to have left behind permanent physical proof of their achievements? Why is it more difficult to find out about ancient cultures when there is a lack of ruins? Do Africans and Europeans have a similar reverence for oral tradition and history?

(see the answer keys)

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