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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. Where was the leopard tracked to?

2. How did Elspeth protect Twinkle?

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

4. What did Hereward ask Robin for help in moving?

5. Why did Hereward dismiss the Dutch hunting skills?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why did the Kikuyu distrust hyenas?

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

4. How did Elspeth use the imagery of the kitchen beaters to convey the sense that Europeans and Africans were living in parallel worlds?

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

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

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

8. Describe how Elspeth viewed the dead leopard.

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

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

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

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?

Essay Topic 3

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?

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