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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 Kupanya claim that Njombo was not one of his men?

2. What did Mrs. Nimmo add to Elspeth's list of required subjects?

3. What did Ian say the native beer tasted like?

4. What natural phenomenon did Tilly and Ian comment on at the end of Chapter 12?

5. Who was injured in the blasting cap accident?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did the Europeans view the difference between a bribe and a tip?

2. How did the other Europeans and the Kikuyu feel about the Italian priests at the mission?

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

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

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

6. What did the Kikuyu do to preserve memories of the dead?

7. Why were Tilly and Lettice suspicious of Mr. Roos' behavior toward Elspeth?

8. How did Ian justify the brutality of the Abyssinian leaders he encountered before coming to Africa?

9. Why did Robin agree with the Italian priests in their refusal to baptize or help Njombo?

10. Why did the District Commissioner find it difficult to keep locals out of the prison?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

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 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?

(see the answer keys)

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