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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. How many leopards were killed during the hunt?

2. How many wives did Sammy already have when he announced he was taking another?

3. What would Elspeth receive if she passed the exam after the safari?

4. At what time did Elspeth's lessons begin in Chapter 20?

5. What was Robin told would make a good gift for the new couple?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. How did Ian describe Ahmed's people (Somalis), whom he had lived among before coming to Africa?

4. In what ways did Elspeth find the siafu (warrior ants) the most frightening and mysterious of Africa's creatures?

5. Why were the villagers so concerned about the python near the village?

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

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

8. Why did Hereward express a willingness to die in a violent storm?

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

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

In the early chapters, Robin Huxley attracted the attention of the natives with his burning lamp, which the fascinated locals assumed was magical. What is the difference between magic and science for people not exposed to advanced technologies? Did a belief in magic and spirits slow down the natives' development of their own technologies? Would it slow down their acceptance and adoption of other peoples' technologies? Do the people with advanced technologies retain any beliefs in magic or spirits or does technology suppress those beliefs?

Essay Topic 2

While riding to Londiani, Dirk told Elspeth a detailed story about the arduous trek taken by his Boer family to their new home. Write an essay describing how these experiences influenced Dirk's behavior as an adult. Was his upbringing in a self-sufficient environment a factor in his willing abandonment of Elspeth? Was he bitter toward the English? Did he seem to have any regard for the natives? How did Dirk compare to the other Dutchman encountered in the book, Mr. Roos?

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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