View a FREE sample

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 priests refuse to help Njombo?

2. What did the priests at the Italian mission plant?

3. What word was used to describe a quarrel or discussion?

4. What were the villagers sacrificing?

5. What did Lettice do during thunderstorms?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Lettice Palmer view Hereward's desperate attempts to impose discipline on his workers?

2. How did the Kikuyu and Masai differ in their approaches to hunting?

3. How did the Palmer's house differ from the Huxley's residence?

4. Describe how Elspeth viewed the dead leopard.

5. Why was Lettice convinced that she brought disaster on her loved ones?

6. Why did Lettice elope with Hereward?

7. Why were the other adults so upset at Mr. Roos for trapping the leopard?

8. Why did the Kikuyu distrust hyenas?

9. How did Elspeth view the planned hunt versus the actual hunt?

10. How did the adults try to comfort Elspeth when she could not go on the safari, and did it work?

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

Despite his lack of success in a number of endeavors, Robin Huxley continued dreaming of fortune and moved his family to Africa in his latest attempt. At one point, Robin and Tilly have an interesting exchange about other settlers, debating whether they are romantics or fools. Based on Robin's behavior, which category did he belong in? Were his dreams realistic or was he pursuing a pipe dream? Is there in fact a big difference between a romantic and a fool?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,134 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample